05
May
In my quest for living a joyful life, there is a surprise when hard things come. Scripture puts it this way: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2 NIV).
Wait a minute, James. Facing many kinds of trials puts me in a joyless mood. It sends my heart racing and starts my soul praying emergency prayers. I want God to get me through a difficulty quicker than I can say “Amen.” But James also tells us there is more than the possibility of panic behind our trials.
“…because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:3-4 NIV).
Now there’s a surprise. But a maturing faith is not an easy faith.
I’d expect (okay, I want) the path to joyful living to produce exhilaration without complications.
And yet, James seeks to focus us on the purest kind of joy. It gives us an ever-growing delight in discovering how God will reveal Himself — even when our wishes start to fade. To be clear, the purest joy doesn’t require us to crave a crisis to prove our faith is real. It doesn’t minimize the moments we treasure doing what we love or spending time with the people we love.
But it’s no surprise hard things, like grief, loneliness, or an illness can test our faith and deplete our joy. However, persevering in the faith is its own reward.
Our joy doesn’t have to be limited to what we can access on our own. There is a sacred source for joy — knowing we have access to God.
It’s the inspiration behind my newest devotional on the YouVersion Bible app. “When Easy Doesn’t Live Here: Living by Faith When Life Is Hard.” is a 7-day Bible reading plan. It includes lessons learned when my faith was tested, a daily prayer, and scriptural references.
I’d love to share this encouragement with you. You can begin the plan here. And when you feel like your joy has been interrupted, may the joy of the Lord become your strength.
“This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10 NLT)
Lucille
A spa day or family vacation would be perfect right about now.
And a companion passage to the James verse is
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Hope in the things of God is important in the Christian life when we are going through trials and tribulations. It is a sure hope, not what might happen. So we rejoice and glory that God has counted us worthy to suffer and endure for his sake. As we hope for an end. This gives me joy.
Joy
Hi Lucille! Indeed, it brings me joy to know that through Christ “…we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Thank you for sharing this encouragement from Romans 5 (NKJV)!
Kathy Francescon
Good morning Joy!! I was thinking of you yesterday, feeling like it had been awhile since your name had popped up in my email! I absolutely loved this post and especially your quote “Our joy doesn’t have to be limited…” This is one to be placed on my frig and read everyday!! Indeed maturing faith is hard, but every moment is an opportunity to take another step, even if it’s a tiny step, in faith! Oh how wonderful it is that we do have access to God!! Our “sacred source of joy” no matter what is happening in us or around us! And I started your new devotional on You Version!! I am so excited to hear your words of wisdom and encouragement!!
And last but not least, sweet friend, my brother, whom I had requested prayer for, got the all clear from his throat cancer yesterday!! I can not stop thanking and praising our God, for hearing every prayer prayed for Larry and answering in such a joyful and rejoicing healing! I know your prayer was so bountiful and so much a part of his great news! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! I pray that God will bless you with all joy as you spread His joy, through your ministry!! You are a “Special Joy”
to me!! And have a most precious and lovely Mothers Day! Sending love and hugs and prayers to You!
🎚💐💞
Joy
Hi Kathy! I’m glad you’re encouraged by knowing the sacred source of our joy. I pray my new plan on YouVersion is an encouragement to you as well.
Lastly, and certainly not least, praise God for Larry’s healing from throat cancer! Such overwhelming goodness the Lord sends our way. Thank you for the lovely Mother’s Day wishes. Same to you. Continued blessings to you and your family, Kathy!