Choose Joy

Life is full of disappointment, there are trials, and there are heavy burdens we have to carry throughout all life's journey. We often get bogged down by the weight of this world. The cross can be heavy, and remember God never promised life would be easy. However, sometimes we concentrate so much on the negative things in life that we forget where our joy comes from. 

You ask, how to be joyful? Remember that joy is not a feeling, it is a decision. There is a difference between joy and happiness. For example, when James says to "count it all joy" he doesn't mean that we are going to be happy 24/7, just because we are Christians. He isn't saying that we should pretend that the cross is not heavy, or that the trials are not painful. They are, but they exist for a reason.   Trials either make or break us. It is your choice. God intends for trials to help us grow as a Christian, to draw closer to Him. Choosing to be joyful in the midst of tribulation is not easy, but it is worth the suffering.

 We often see trials in the negative light, because we can't make sense of what God is doing. You aren't the only one. Joseph had no idea how beautiful the outcome would be when he was sold into slavery. Joseph was in jail for years, because he was accused of something that he didn't even do. He was forgotten by so many people, but God hadn't forgotten. God's plan eventually unfolded, and Joseph became second in command of the entire nation. The trials and tests taught Joseph to trust God, may the same be said about you. 

The truth of the matter is, you may not have a "happily ever after" like Joseph did. You may never know what the trial was meant for, but you can still be joyful, because our joy does not come from our friends, our family, or even our circumstances. In Christ alone, our joy is found.

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