Focus Verse: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3
Joy can be found in the trials of life. Trials are a given. Joy is a choice made possible when your mind and heart are fixed on God. It is in the hard times that our faith is put to the test.
A helpful practice I do to aid in my understanding of a passage is to read various versions. This is easy to do using an app or website that allows you see the various version on one screen. I particularly love how The Message version puts it:
“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.” (MSG)
How many times have we experienced this in our life? Those times when we find ourselves asking, “what else can go wrong?” This passage is such an encouragement to me, as James lets us know that these times will only make us stronger!
When I was in school, I always loved tests. I saw them as my chance to prove what I knew about that subject. Trials are also tests – but of a different nature. Trials test how strong our faith in God is.
See, in order to pass this kind of test, you just have to give complete and utter control to God, and entrust the outcome, whatever it may be, to Him. It is then and only then that you can find joy in the trials. However, I don’t say “just” flippantly. It’s hard for us to let go and let God. In fact, I think the hardest part of any challenge is letting go of the control and handing the reins over to God, and allowing Him to lead the way.
What trials are you currently going through that God may be using to strengthen you?
As we walk through trials, God by our side, his hand clasping ours, his wings over us as a place of safe shelter, we can take comfort in knowing that He is our rock, our shield, our strong tower. As we let Him fight our battles, as we step out of our comfort zone, and fight with Him, He is refining our faith.
He is the author and the finisher of our faith.
How is it that joy can be possible, you may wonder? When all the walls around you are crumbling down, when the ground is shaking beneath your feet, when it just doesn’t seem like things can get much worse, how, you may ask, can I have joy?
I’ll tell you – it is absolutely possible to have joy. Not only is it possible, it is important. It is necessary! We can have joy because we are not alone, we do not fight our battles alone, we have God by our side, sheltering us from harm, lifting us up when we fall, and embracing us when we need comfort. We can have joy because we know that hope comes in the morning! We can have joy because nothing in this world is bigger or greater than our God!
The Joy of the Lord is my strength!
(Nehemiah 8:10)
Joy is found through the trials. Amidst the trials. Joy is like the medicine that gets us through the darkest nights. Joy gives us the living hope of Jesus Christ.
Joy is set before us, like a table, and in the presence of our enemies.
“You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm 23:5-6 (NLT)
David could speak these words because, even despite all the troubles he faced, he knew that God was with him.
Can you imagine how mad it must make our enemy to see us full of so much joy despite the trials we face? Despite the fiery arrows he shoots at us, we still have joy. I can just see his frustration. My friend, keep it up. Fight the good fight!
Find joy in the trials, and build up your faith, and become strong in the Lord! Know that in the end, God wins, which means, we win!
Dear God, I need you today, more than ever. It just seems that no matter where I go, no matter where I turn, the enemy is trying to destroy everything I have worked so hard for. He causes strife with my loved ones, he tries so hard to steal my joy. But I take comfort in the shadow of your wings, knowing that you are still here, you have not left me, you are fighting this daily battle with me, and for that I will have joy. For that I will put my faith in you and you alone. Please give me the strength to continue to persevere. When the pressures of this life come along, please help me to see it as an opportunity for joy. When tests and challenges rise up against me, help me to see it as a chance to prove how much I still need you, and help me to become more and more mature in my faith until the day that I am lacking nothing. Amen.
What do you think?