When you think about joy, you think about moments in life that are pleasurable and satisfying. Things that come to mind are parties, gifts, weddings, promotions, friendships, family and love. Joy is a foreign concept in times of suffering and pain. In times of strife we subconsciously go into survival mode, our minds drown with thoughts of worry, confusion, frustration, doubt, anger and fear. These thoughts are innately self-centered and these feelings come from bearing burdens alone. This self-reliance in times of trouble exposes the absence of joy in our lives. Joy is a choice. It is a choice to trust in God in times of happiness and in times of sorrow. Joy is not dictated by circumstance, it is the proof of total dependence on God.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance”. James 1:2 – 3 (NIV)
Having trust in God brings you complete joy, but could you be joyful if you lost your job? Could you be joyful if your home was destroyed by a hurricane? Could you be joyful if you were imprisoned for doing the right thing? Paul and Silas did. During their travels, Paul and Silas met a demon-possessed slave girl who was a fortune teller. Being agitated Paul commanded the demon to leave her and she was healed. She lost her powers of fortune telling and because of the greed of her masters no longer able to make a profit from her, they had Paul and Silas beaten and thrown in jail. Rather than blaming God for their misfortune, despite the fact they were doing His work, they chose joy. They were not worried about how they would be released or that their work was being halted, they totally surrendered to God’s all-knowing power. And because of such assurance they sang hymns of praise to Him.
The thing about joy, it is not only for the sufferer, it is for the on-lookers. While Paul and Silas were singing other prisoners were listening and were touched. When you have joy the blessings will follow. God delights in our optimistic attitudes that display complete submission to His sovereignty. Joy is complete loyalty to God. It says “Come what may, I choose not to succumb to my emotions, but to submit to God’s will”.
To being wise,
Meredith, Jennifer and Marisa
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance”. James 1:2 – 3 (NIV)
Having trust in God brings you complete joy, but could you be joyful if you lost your job? Could you be joyful if your home was destroyed by a hurricane? Could you be joyful if you were imprisoned for doing the right thing? Paul and Silas did. During their travels, Paul and Silas met a demon-possessed slave girl who was a fortune teller. Being agitated Paul commanded the demon to leave her and she was healed. She lost her powers of fortune telling and because of the greed of her masters no longer able to make a profit from her, they had Paul and Silas beaten and thrown in jail. Rather than blaming God for their misfortune, despite the fact they were doing His work, they chose joy. They were not worried about how they would be released or that their work was being halted, they totally surrendered to God’s all-knowing power. And because of such assurance they sang hymns of praise to Him.
The thing about joy, it is not only for the sufferer, it is for the on-lookers. While Paul and Silas were singing other prisoners were listening and were touched. When you have joy the blessings will follow. God delights in our optimistic attitudes that display complete submission to His sovereignty. Joy is complete loyalty to God. It says “Come what may, I choose not to succumb to my emotions, but to submit to God’s will”.
To being wise,
Meredith, Jennifer and Marisa
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