Joy In The Midst Of Trials

Because we live in a fallen and corrupt world, it is a fact that we all will, at some point or another, experience trials in our lives. They vary from person to person, circumstance to circumstance, but I think we can all agree that no one gets by easily in this world.

How easy it can be to become focused on the bad things in our life, and sink into depression or fear! So many people in the world around us do it… depression and anxiety have become the normal in virtually everyone’s lives. So surely it’s okay if we live the same way, right?

No. This shouldn’t be normal in the church. We are told that we are set apart for God (1 Peter 2:9), and if we truly are, it’s our job to Show The World Who We Represent!

Psalm 16:11 says, “You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” This verse tells us where we can find our joy: in the presence of God!

So many people think, “But no one understands how much I’m going through!” or, “It’s impossible, my situation is too bad!”

I’ve been tempted to feel that way before. Everyone encounters difficulty in their lives, and I’ve not been exempt from that. I’ve felt pain, loss, and sadness, just like you.

But one story in the book of Acts is a huge perspective changer. Acts 16:16-40 recounts the incredible story about Paul and Silas.

They were thrown into prison, beaten, and put in stocks for preaching the Gospel and casting a demon out of a girl.

Do you know what they did that night, as they sat on the cold, stone floor of the jail? They could’ve had every excuse to cry and scream, and become angry at God. “It’s not fair, we’re just doing what You told us to do! Why do we have to suffer like this?”

But that’s not what they did. By the time midnight had come around, they could be heard by all the prisoners, singing praises to God and praying to Him. While they were doing these things, a huge earthquake came, and all of the prison doors opened at once.

As a result of that, the jailer and his whole family came to know Jesus, and Paul and Silas were freed.

Wow. I don’t think that would’ve happened if they had sat around and moped and cried and felt sorry for themselves. They walked in joy despite their terrible circumstances.

God wants us to do the same. He wants us to choose joy when everything around us seems to be falling apart. Because joy is a choice. Granted, it’s not always an easy one, but it will always get you to a good place.

Going back to Psalm 16:11, it said that the fullness of joy was in the presence of God.

So today, I want to encourage you to spend intentional time in the presence of God. Time where you really focus on Him, and not what you’re going through in your life. True joy will result from that, no matter your life circumstances. Our God is a God of joy!