Joy In The What?
According to Merriam Websters dictionary the word joy can be defined as -
"The emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires."
I really like this definition!
I cannot remember a time when I was not "joyful" over my well being, success or good fortune.
However, life, no matter what lengths we go in our planning, does not play by our rules and so often we experience the exact opposite of well being, success or good fortune. In fact, the older I get the more I realize that life is full of trials, valleys, deserts, and struggles.
So how do we respond when life brings that our way and interrupts our plans and dashes our expectations?
It's Not Me
A number of years ago my wife and I had the opportunity to have dinner with one of my dear friends and his father. I had not seen my friend's dad in over 30 years, but when I did, the hug and the smile from Ray were exactly what I remembered.
Over the course of his life Ray had lost a wife and two sons and as we caught up over dinner I asked my friend and his dad, how they could be so joyful despite the grief and loss they had experienced in their lives.
Without hesitation, Ray looked at me and smiled and said, "It's not me man, its Jesus! He is the reason for my joy."
Even Then?
I think about that dinner and my friend often as Ray passed away last June, yet his son, still is one of the most joyful people I have ever known. It also makes me think of James and his exhortation to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials." It is actually more of a command than an exhortation, but it begs the question, ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
I have spent a lot of time pouring over that verse and despite my best efforts, I have found no loophole. James explicitly tells us that when (not if) life deals us a blow, when we are in the valley and when all we planned goes south that we are to be joyful.
It's About the Outcome
In the following verses, James tells us why we can be joyful (you can either trust me or look up James 1 for yourself), but I believe that we can find joy in the midst of our trials and suffering for one reason alone; it is in the suffering and pain that we often grow the most.
It is all about the outcome - I suffer, I grow, in my growth I am becoming more like Jesus and as I become more like Jesus I can find joy no matter what life throws my way.
Bring it On!
My wife and I have been on quite the roller coaster over the last few years and have walked through some deep valleys. As we were reflecting on some of these recently, we both agreed that we are much different people than we were a few years ago.
Knowing this not only brings me joy, but has already prepared me for the next challenge that is sure to come my way.
If you are in a season of trial, may I repeat the words of James and choose joy. Choose joy because you know in the pain there will be growth and that despite the testing, God is always close by refining you and making you more like His son as a result.
On The Journey With You,
Carlos
This edition was first published in The Life Design Newsletter on LinkedIn.