How Can You Find Joy In The Trials of Life?

How can we count it all joy when the trials of life hurt so deeply? When those who are supposed to be closest to us and there to help us walk this lonely road, toss us away like nothing? 

How can we be joyful in the trials of life, when they cut in ways no one can see? When the pain is deep and all-encompassing and the tears can only come privately.  

How can we be full of joy, when those who call themselves brothers and sisters turn their backs, preferring to believe the lies rather than asking for the truth? When those who know you best choose to listen to the narrative presented and be deceived. 

How Can You Find Joy in a trial?

This life is not easy. This road is not smooth. 

Yet, we weren’t called to a life of ease, one that is smooth and peaceful. Time and time again, scripture warns us. Time and time again, it tells us to be wary of those who are nothing more than wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). Preying on the trusting nature of a believer. Counting on the compassion of the church. 

All the while, waiting to see who they can devour. 

Biding their time. Lurking. 

It’s the oldest story in the book, first experienced in Genesis 3, yet even all of these years later, the pain is still as real as the deception. 

It caused the fall. 

It caused the crucifixion. 

And it causes so many to walk away, broken by the people inside a building that is supposed to be a sanctuary for the sinners and the people inside who are supposed to be the light. 

The people who are supposed to be different. 

Facing Your Trials Head On

Yet walking away is not what we are called to do. 

John 16:33 tells us: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

In the world, ye shall have tribulation. 

Not you might. Not you could. 

You will. 

You will have tribulation and trials and heartaches, just as certain as the sun will rise in the east. 

Yet that’s not the end of the teaching from Jesus.

No, He never leaves us in dire straights. He may speak straight and share some uncomfortable truths, but He doesn’t leave us hanging or floundering uncertain of what to do. 

Instead, He tells us that it will come, but to be of good cheer.

To have courage.

Courage in the face of tribulations that will come. 

Why?

Because He has overcome the world. 

He has conquered the world and will prevail. 

Every wrong will be made right. 

Every tear will be wiped away. 

But What Do You Do Right Now?

But right now? Well right now we have to be light in this broken land, even if our light is dim, barely a flicker, because of the wind and water and waves of those who were supposed to be helping us grow. 

Even if the pain is blinding. 

Even if the pain is debilitating. 

Because we will overcome.

We will grow and become more than we ever knew we could if we can count it all joy (James 1:2). If we can hang on and stop focusing on the storm that is raging and, instead, focus on the One who controls the wind and the waves. 

But This Feels Unbearable…

Yes, when God’s people hurt God’s people it’s a different kind of sting. A pain that cuts you and threatens to crush you as it hurts your heart and your soul. It cuts in a way you can’t describe and is a pain no one should have to feel. 

Yet the church is not immune to pain as long as it’s run by people. People who can be manipulated and choose to deceive for their own purpose. Driven by pride and selfish ambition, they lurk waiting for the opportunity to cause pain and division.

The church is not immune to people who will destroy it the inside, perhaps even blind to their own deception. 

One minute worshiping, learning, and serving, and the next devouring and breaking down. A modern-day Judas that no one saw coming, yet coming to attack, just as Paul warned in Acts (20:29). 

Finding Joy In The Trials of Life

Hope is there, my friend, just waiting for you to take hold. 

Hope is there, walking this storm with you. 

So take joy in the trial, even if it is filled with tears and heartache and pain that is crippling. 

Take joy and comfort, knowing that heaven is fighting for you. And that even though He could take all this pain and sorrow with just one word, that you will arrive on the other side stronger than you were (James 1:3-4). 

You will grow in ways you could not in a season of ease if you can keep your eyes fixated on hope and your heart on forgiveness (James 1:4). If you will trust and allow God to navigate you through the tribulations of your life, and not let your pain grow into resentment and bitterness. Remembering that He saw this storm coming from the foundation of the world and has been preparing you for this season all along. 

He knew it was on its way and He knew you could overcome. 

He knew you weren’t going to succumb, even if you did stumble at first, taken back by the shock of it all. 

But then again, He knew that too. 

Yet, what the world intended for evil, God is using for good (Genesis 50:20). For you and for His purpose (Romans 8:28).

What the world brought to you, intending to maim and destroy, He will use for good and to make you stronger (Romans 5:3-4).

So dry your eyes. Walk through the sorrow. Give Him the pain and the heartache. 

And count it all joy in this trial that He found you not only strong enough to withstand this storm, but to prepare you for the next. 

Encouragement To Guide You!

With the Grow Your Faith Planner, you can begin strengthening your faith to prepare you for this trial or the trials that may come. Filled with a yearly reading guide, journaling pages, and devotionals, the Grow Your Faith Planner is just what you need to keep your mind on Scripture and your heart prepared for any trial that may come your way.