An Opportunity for Joy

As we continue in the series Following Jesus, today we will look at how we can find joy, even in seasons of turmoil, through our relationship with Jesus. Before we begin, let’s open our time together with a prayer.

Heavenly Father, You are the creator of the universe and all things in it. How is it that You can love someone as insignificant as me? I marvel and feel humbled when I think about how much You love each of us so fully and without reservation. Thank You for helping me find the faith and joy I have through knowing and loving You. Amen.

James 1:2-4 (NLT)
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

For exercise, I like to walk the country road that I live on several times a week. The trip away from the house is mostly downhill and great for warming up. But as we all know, what goes down must eventually go up! The return route is more of a challenge because that gentle slope down now looks and feels like a mountain. If I haven’t walked in a while, I find my endurance is low and I struggle to get home. But if I have been walking frequently, I find my endurance has increased and the walk up the hill is much easier. When I defeat the hill, I feel invigorated and triumphant! Can you think of a physical or mental challenge you have faced and were able to conquer, through perseverance and effort?

Just because we strive to be disciples of Jesus doesn’t make us immune to pain, hardships, and difficult seasons. But how we endure and come through these times is what should set us apart from non-believers. When you face a difficult or painful situation, do you think others still see the joy of Jesus shining through you?

Enduring hard times is one thing, but to actually find joy? Do you believe that is truly attainable? If you need help grasping this concept, turn to the book of Philippians for your answer. Even though Paul was in prison when he wrote it, the overriding theme is joy! Paul sums it up in Philippians 4:4: Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!

As we close today, go to God in prayer.

Ask God to give you a heart like Paul’s, to be able to find joy through your pain.

Seek the presence of the Holy Spirit, and let the joy in knowing Jesus refresh and restore you.

I pray your endurance grows and flourishes like a beautiful flower in the presence of our Lord and Savior.