knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 1:2
We don’t usually think of joy and
trials as a pair. Joy is about happiness
and goodness and trials is the hard stuff of life. But in God’s economy, we are to find joy in
the midst of trails. In order to do this
it is of the utmost importance that we first remember that Satan is the Father
of lies, the first sinner that ushered sin into our world and tempted Adam and
Eve. Satan is the prince of the power of
the air. He is the spirit of the age,
the evil one. He is the source of all
evil and illness and death – not God!
And yet, we so often jump immediately to blaming God. True, God is able to reach down and save us
from suffering, but so often He does not because He knows that suffering is
leading us to Him – to a deeper walk and trust and a more profound faith and
hope in His eternity.
So when circumstances overwhelm
you, blame Satan – trust God. He is
there and He cares for you. He has a
plan and a purpose. He will work all
things out for good for those who love Him.
So where does joy come in? Joy is
not happiness because joy is not based on how we feel about our
circumstances. Joy is a deeper
all-abiding knowing and contentment that God is there and that He loves you unconditionally
and forever. Joy is knowing that the
things which we see are temporal, but the things that we do not see are
eternal. Even in the midst of grief,
anger, sadness, or depression, we can experience an inner joy. If we focus on that joy through praise and
thanksgiving, joy will overtake the other emotions.
Joy is an interesting study
throughout Scripture. It is more often
than not coupled with being in the presence of the Lord. That trial that you are facing should drive
you to your knees and there in the presence of the Lord you will find joy in
the midst. God is able to comfort your
mind and relax your spirit and bring peace in the middle of turmoil. He promises us that if we are, “…anxious for
nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all
comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7.
The other reason that we should
consider trials as joy is because we have posed a threat to Satan and therefore
we share in the suffering of Christ Jesus.
Satan let’s those who are complacent, stay in their complacency. But those who are fighting for the Kingdom of
God in their own souls and encouraging and teaching others God’s truths pose a
threat and Satan attacks with vengeance.
I speak and teach all over and can almost predict trouble within a week
of God’s working through me. When I have
a deadline is when my physical pain is so bad that I can barely accomplish what
needs to be done. But the joy comes in
the doing and being faithful knowing that it is God’s grace that will allow me
through it. He will never leave me nor
forsake me.
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