1 Peter 1:7-9 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Did you know that spending time in the Word, prayer, and fellowship with your Saviour is like making sure you get your daily dose of vitamins? Those of us who try to focus on being healthy make sure we are trying to get our daily dose of vitamins whether through eating the right foods or taking vitamin supplements.
Sometimes that healthy exercise can be tough and quite a struggle, but the end results are satisfactory & rewarding.
The only way that we can truly endure the trials of this life is through a firm foundation in Jesus Christ. While our salvation guarantees heaven, it doesn’t warrant a healthy, spiritual life. Our spiritual life is determined by our searching the Scriptures diligently and constant fellowship with the Saviour.
Another important healthy part is to make sure our lives are filled with joy. What is joy? Webster’s dictionary defines joy as “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.”
How do I have joy in the midst of trials? Sometimes it’s not easy, but it’s through determination to have a merry heart (Proverbs 11:22). Trails are to strengthen our faith. We receive our strength through having joy in the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10).
I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes I just don’t want to be tested or endure one more trial. At times, I do find myself getting weary in well doing. BUT it is in that moment that I realize I need to take time to meditate (think) upon Scripture and get alone with God in order to not stay down-in-the-dumps. It also helps me to listen to God-honoring music to help lift my soul from the miry (very muddy) clay.
In order to have more of God’s power in our lives, we must cast-off the negatives and embrace the positives. When we allow the presence of God in our lives, we will experience more peace and joy (Psalm 16:11).
One of the nine (9) Fruits of the Spirit is Joy (Galatians 5:22-23). Harvested fruit tastes delicious, but trying to eat it before its ready can taste horrible. It must be cultivated through planting, weeding, and watering. When it’s time, it can be picked for the enjoyment of eating. The same is true in our lives. In order for our spiritual fruits to grow and mature over time, they need to be nourished.
The “Fruit” of Joy doesn’t happen overnight. Not only must we work at it, but we must choose to add it to our lives. Don’t forget to add the important vitamin of Joy to your daily dose of vitamins. You’ll be glad you did!
