How to overcome tough trials with mega-joy
How do you face trials?
Usually, it is with complaining. You lose all joy and can only focus on “why me?” or “how long?”
James, Jesus’ brother, pastored the church in Jerusalem. He had a unique approach to the toughest trials: JOY.
I know that sounds impossible and ridiculous.
The testing of your faith is the test of your attitude.
Here are some ways to face your toughest trials with an attitude of “mega-joy”:
When you face a trial with intentional joy, you are passing God’s test.
Israel in the wilderness encountered one test after another: no food, no water, no protection, no direction. 100% of the time they responded negatively.
God will never leave us or forsake us. He is right with us in and through every trial. Israel faced ten trials in the wilderness and failed every one of them. COMPLAINING.
Praise Him. David said, “I will bless the Lord at ALL TIMES. His praise will continually be in my mouth…” (Ps. 34:1).
Pass the test. Rejoice in the Lord always. Praise God anyway. He loves you and wants to see that you love and praise Him even when things don’t seem to work out well for you.
2. Evaluate the trial correctly.
Jesus, “for the joy set before Him endured the cross” (Heb. 12:2).
He evaluated a horrible “trial” as an eternal “triumph.”
Dr. Warren Wiersbe said, “Outlook determines outcome: to end with joy, begin with joy.”
Can you look past the trial to eternity? Will you even remember what you ate for supper when you are in heaven?
Every trial is tiny compared to the joy of heaven and eternity. Keep your eyes on the prize.
3. Trials are maturing your faith.
God wants to test the quality of your faith. A cake is not thrown away if the straw has batter on it when you pull it out of the oven. You just put it back into the heat!
Joy is meeting your trials with faith. When you maintain your joy, it says to God that you are not basing your love for Him on perfect circumstances.
You WILL come through this test:
Job passed his test and received a double reward.
Abraham passed his test and received a multiplied blessing on him and his family.
Joseph passed his test and was promoted to the vice-regent of Egypt!
Tests are not meant to destroy you but to build your faith.
“The testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1: 3). God has a great plan for your pain!
4. Joy brings wisdom when we are wavering.
Nobody understands trials. God does.
When we praise Him and rejoice during a trial, God shares with us His eternal wisdom.
Without wisdom, we “waver.” We go up and down emotionally like a wave of the sea. Our faith comes and goes.
Ask God for His wisdom to face a trial and rejoice that He is giving it to you.
Joy will overcome the toughest trial: you WILL pass this test with triumph, stronger faith, and God’s wisdom!