Opportunity for Joy?

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles 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 NLT

Have you ever had a bad day? A bad week? A bad year? Have you ever faced tough challenges? Perhaps you are going through a difficult time now.

Life can be painful. Others hurt us, disappoint us, and create problems. We often don't know how to respond and get mad, creating more conflict; feel sad or lonely and get depressed; or feel confused, powerless, and generally unhappy. We think, 'Why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this? Will these troubles ever end?'

As humans we are naturally weak, insecure, afraid, and prone to despair and hopelessness. But trials are one of the ways God makes us stronger. We can't learn to be courageous, confident, and filled with hope if we have never been scared, put-down, or in despair. And everyone faces trials, so it all comes down to how you view them and what you do about it. If you only see them as troubles you wish you didn't have and respond negatively, then they make you weaker; but if you view them as an opportunity to grow and become more than you ever thought you could be, they will make you stronger.

God wants us to overcome our weakness, insecurity, and fear. He is on our side! He can give us the faith, courage, joy, and peace we need to face anything, and all we have to do is ask. Sometimes He gives us these things even when we don't ask, but it's much more valuable to know He is the one helping us because we don't feel so alone and unprotected. We know He is with us. We know He will help. We know He loves us and will always work things out for good.

It's normal to feel scared, alone, and weak when difficult things come your way; don't try to pretend you're fine and put up a tough-front. Instead, admit your need and ask God for help. Believe you are not alone. He knows. He cares. He is with you. And when you believe these things, you will have the courage and confidence to face the difficult times.

This is why James says we should consider these times an opportunity for joy. We can't always feel happy. Sometimes our circumstances just don't allow it, even if you're generally a positive person. But we can always choose joy. Joy is not dependent on our circumstances, but on our attitude toward them. 

So instead of saying, 'Why is this happening to me?' and letting the question remain unanswered, I can know it's happening for a reason and has a purpose, and I can ask God to show me what it is. Instead of saying, 'What did I do to deserve this?', I can know it's not my fault and trust Jesus to use it for my benefit when I turn it all over to Him. And instead of thinking my troubles will never end and just giving up, I can take them one at a time, one day at a time, and ask God to simply give me what I need today.

The LORD is near to all who call on him...He hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 145:18,19

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him... Romans 15:13