joy

Joy within Trials

Dr. Mike 2023, Life in Christ , , ,

James 1:2-4, 12

 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing…Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

How does one consider trials a joyous event? 

When one loses their job, or one’s business is forced to close and one faces financial ruin, or a meaningful relationship ends, are Christ-followers supposed to rejoice?

When one’s health is broken, or one is constantly being bullied into submission, or one’s life work is hanging on the balance of being destroyed by outside destructive influences, is one to accept being a victim without hope in the situation changing for the better? 

Why would a good God allow such events occur in our life? Doesn’t HE want us to live a life of comfort and ease? Why would HE want us to temporarily suffer such pain and misfortune?

I am sure we have all asked similar questions as we face the challenges of life each and every day. Yet when one better understands God’s macro purpose for yours and mine life, the quicker one accepts the moment and places trust in HIM to move you through the process for the sake of others, yourself, and HIM.

Most often our initial reaction from such a negative event may cause temporary shock. We are in shock because of the unexpected potential negative consequences on the matter. We may then become angry at God or others for making such a destructive impact with our life at this moment in time. Somewhere in the process we will also grieve of our loss. These are all natural human responses to an ugly situation. Any of these emotional events may last for a few minutes or a few years and are necessary for healing to commence.

But as Christ-followers, during the entire ordeal, our faith in God will be tested. Either we will lean on HIM throughout the entire process, or not. If we do lay our pain at HIS feet, HE will provide us with the internal strength to remain firmly trusting HIM to lead you to work out the situation for the best long-term outcome for all parties involved.

When we continue to lean on HIM, trials will strengthen our faith in HIM. We become participants in HIS handiwork. HE is molding and shaping you and me to maximize our potential as a child of HIS. You may not see it at the moment. You may still be on an emotional roller coaster, but you are also being held in HIS grip.

HIS Spirit full of love, joy, and peace becomes more active and alive within you as you lean on HIM through the ordeal. The joy James writes about is the paradox of being a Christ-follower. Even when you are suffering, HIS joy lives in you and HE cannot stop expressing who HE is even during bad times.

However, if you do not lean on HIM during your trial, then you will feel the immense pain of living life without HIM and without hope for a better future.

As Christ-followers, we know HIS macro-plan is to prepare us for eternity. HE desires us to have the divine character of Jesus Christ fully empowered within us at all times. However, the building of this character takes time to work through the fiery circumstances, plus a willing participation on our part to complete. As we endure in HIS arms, as we firmly abide in HIM, we are being perfected into HIS image. Like the athlete, short-term pain leads to long-term gain.

We may not fully recover in this life what we loss through the trial. But we know God promises us the crown of life for our faithful endurance through our journey in this world.

Yes, we will be blessed for hanging in there to the end. Meanwhile, the short-term pain hurts, the shock and grieving are emotionally draining, and the future looks temporarily hopeless. But as we face our fears, holding unto HIM one step and one day at a time, HE is with us through the entire ordeal. As we are at our weakest moment, HE becomes our strength. HE walks with us and at times may even carry us.

And yes, during our trial everything may seem a blur. But in hindsight, when you review the matter, you will see HIS hand working out circumstances, and bringing people into your world at the proper moment to launch you closer to the end of the trial and the beginning of a new adventure.      

Bottom line: Trials are God’s opportunity to shape us into HIS image and reveal HIMSELF to others. Be steadfast. Lean on HIM. Rejoice in HIS presence. HE will lead you through the ordeal.  

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

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Joy-Giver

Dr. Mike 2022 , , ,

Ecclesiastes 2:26

For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. ESV

The Book of Ecclesiastes is written from a twin perspective: Life is a vapor and God is a Joy-Giver.

When I first read the Book as a seventeen-year-old seeker, I was initially depressed of its message of vanity, meaningless purpose, and nothing to be gain remarks. Yet some twenty years later, the rest of the story became more apparent.

Yes, from birth to death you come into the world with physically nothing and you shall leave with nothing, but in between is the Godly experience which shall shape you for eternity.

The Book reminds us that God is the giver of good gifts for our enjoyment. Whereas most people today seek after the fleeting ideal of happiness, real joy awaits them in the presence of the living God. However, until one acknowledges the Source, one shall always climb the ladder on the wrong wall and find disappointment.

God is the most enjoyable Being in the universe. He has created us to have a personal relationship with HIM. When we evade HIS presence and shy away from HIS goodness, we only harm ourselves. But when we learn to share life with HIM, HE openly shares HIS life with us.

Joy is HIS natural character. The fruit of HIS Spirit includes joy. He can’t help being joyful. And HE has created us in HIS image. Joy awaits us, but without HIM our pursuit is continually empty. When you and I learn to dance with HIM on HIS dance floor of planet earth, we align ourselves with HIS rhythm, HIS purpose, and HIS values, and begin to experience a deeper relationship with HIM; joy becomes the by-product of the with-God life.

Yes, this physical life is temporary. Time moves quickly and life is a vapor, as our physical self is here like a blade of grass, and then no more. But God has greater plans in store for us. Today HE wants you and I to experience the richness of a Godly life. He allows us to compare the temporary physical highs with the permanent reality of HIS character as a foretaste of what we may expect through eternity and beyond. So, if you haven’t yet done business with the Almighty, you are missing out and time is growing short.  How about taking a moment and discover the difference between the temporary sensation of happiness with the permanent high of joyful living? HE awaits your decision. And for those of you who already know the difference, isn’t HE an awesome JOY-GIVER!

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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A Gift from God for You        

Dr. Mike 2022 , , ,

Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. Eccl. 5:18-20

How fast does time move?

It took less than three seconds to type this line. Another minute has gone by as I think what to write next.

Though time has moved past me just now, it doesn’t bother me as much as it did in my younger days. Why? Because God has put His joy into my heart which allows me to experience HIS presence as time moves on. He lives in me.

In my younger apprentice days, HE resided in me, and I didn’t allow him full access into my inner chambers. Today, that has changed.

Today, HE has full access into any room of my heart, mind, and soul. HE has my permission (even though HE doesn’t need it) to engage me wherever HE knows what is best for me in the long term. Though I may initially complain and get angry for HIS interference, I slowly calm down and remember the work HE has started and committed to finish in me. For that I am thankful.

In reading the above Scripture, I am reminded that you and I may have accumulated wealth, possessions, and other favorable toys, but unless God places HIS joy in us, all is lost in frustration, worry, and fear. God’s gift for you and I is the power to enjoy them.

In doing so, we not only accept our social status and class position; but enjoy them along with the work of our hands. This is God’s gift for you and I.

The fact is, because HE has gifted us to enjoy what we do, the time of life seems to move so fast that before we know it, we have lived a full life with fond memories. Yes, there were probably a few challenges in between, but they seem so far removed from the joy set before us.

God is good. He is a Giver of goodness. His goodness includes HIS Spirit of joy. Again, I can only thank HIM for HIS love and sharing this precious gift to me.

For those who care, there are 86,400 seconds per day. Each second is either accompanied with or without joy. If you haven’t done so yet and want to experience the same with the Creator of the universe, ask HIM. Today. Now. Put HIM to the test.

Ask HIM to lead you into work that is fulfilling for you. But more importantly, ask HIM to fully live in you. There may be some initial pain in the beginning as every change brings, but the long-term impact is well worth the trials and tests that shape your inner character. Otherwise, when you look back at your entire life, what will you be thankful for?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!