joy in tumultous times

admist the covid situation, it must be hard to find joy in this time.

i would like to remind anyone who is reading this once again of what Apostle Paul said:

James 1:2-4

2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

you may not understand why or what is going on, it must feel easier to say "why God?" and panic like the rest of the world seems to be. so what exactly did Paul mean to find joy in this troubling time?

i would like to preface this by saying that in no way does Paul say that trials are joyful in any way. trials are tough, we are exhausted, we are broken, we are waiting for it to just be over.

but Paul calls us to face the mysterious pain with a joyful heart. we may not understand why certain obstructions in our life appear. having faith however is trusting despite uncertainty. despite what we may not be able to see, we will continue to trust that the handling of the mystery is God's job and not ours.

if we had a choice, we would always choose the comfortable way, the easy way out, the shortcut to where we want to be. but God doesn't work like that, He knows us better than we think we know ourselves.

GOD WILL MEND YOU INTO WHO YOU NEED TO BE, NOT WHO YOU WANT TO BE.

change and growth only occur in the midst of adversity.

i challenge you to face whatever uncertainty and pain you may be harbouring and offer it up to the heavenly father who loves you oh so much. He knows you are suffering, He is crying with you, He is hurting in the heart in the same way you are, possibly even at a deeper level too.

trust in His goodness and His plan that at the end of this trial, if we stick it through to the end, He will provide what you need most. He will give you enough strength and love to combat it, that i know for certain.

trust in His goodness and allow yourself to find joy in any situation, good or bad.

at the end of the day, anyone can praise God when things are going well. what matters most however is when things aren't going well, who do we turn to? the world or to His warmth and care?

FAITH PRODUCES ENDURANCE.

let us be joyful, brothers and sisters for trials are simply expanding our spiritual endurance and capacity to receive His wonderful love and care.

yesterday, a random thought popped into my head before i went to bed.

"for whom suffers most shall reap most in heaven."

LET'S CONTINUE TO CULTIVATE THAT BOOTIFUL LOVE FOR GOD EH? BECAUSE HE'S SOOOOOOO FRIGGIN GOOD AND GOSH HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH!

He loves you and i love you too. may many blessings and grace flower your path, tumultuous or not. find joy in the one who is the source of all love and happiness- Joe