As I lay on the couch at a friend’s house yesterday afternoon (where I’ve spent most of the past week), could I still find the same joy that I had two weeks ago? Can I still praise God for the trials and the pain that this week has brought? You see, I didn’t see it coming, nor did I expect it … we typically don’t - SETBACKS. I had no desire to end up back in the emergency room twice this past week, or to be dealing with the most severe chest pains that I’ve ever had in my life for days on end. What about breathing? One doesn’t think about it, until you can’t do so normally, then WHOA … it sure catches you off guard. While I’ll spare all the details here on my blog for now, I would really appreciate and covet your prayers as there are crucial follow-up appointments needing to happen this coming week with specialists in hopes of getting some much needed answers.
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If I’m honest, it’s been a hard week not to find myself feeling discouraged. However, yesterday afternoon as I was resting and thinking … I still have so much to be thankful for. So, can I still choose joy in the midst of setbacks? YES. I. CAN. It may be a daily choice … and sometimes even a moment by moment choice, but it is possible!
Joy is not the same thing as happiness. You see, happiness is something that comes and goes simply based on our good circumstances in life. It’s not something we can cling to during the trials of life – whether that would be through health challenges (like I find myself dealing with), the loss of a loved one, or relationship issues that cause great emotional and mental struggles. JOY on the other hand is different. Joy is something that you can find and even cling to even in the midst of trials … why? True joy is not based on good circumstances in life, but rather it comes from God. God’s joy is always present, and He is ready to give it, but are you ready to accept it?
As believers, this joy that we have in God will never be taken away from us. There may be days when the trials seem way to overwhelming, and the joy seems missing, but let me remind you (just as I remind myself), of the promise God has for us in John 15:11 which says, “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow.” We are promised the joy that God has for us on a daily basis, but are you going to make the daily choice and accept it … even on the days when the sufferings in life seem way too overwhelming?
You see, for me personally, even in the midst of this week’s latest trials there is still much joy to be found, because my God has not left my side! He is still walking this journey right beside me every step of the way. This week was not a surprise to Him, but all part of His perfect plan for my life. WHY? I don’t know, but what I do know is that my God is bigger than any of my trials that I will face here on this earth. This latest trial has yet again been a test to my faith, but also continues to be an opportunity for me to grow in my endurance, and build up my faith, confident that in the end I will come out stronger yet again – defeating the enemy and seeing all the glory go to God our Father!
Today, no matter what kind of trial you may be facing, maybe it’s time that instead of wallowing or focusing on your suffering, you need to stop and make a choice to accept the free gift of joy that God so graciously offers. Are you going to take the step forward, and accept today?
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” –James 1:2-4
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