Most of us could probably say that our year is full of ups and downs. Sometimes it seems as if we barely get through the first trial and the next one is crashing down around us. You may even wonder where God is when you’re in the thick of it and you feel like you’re sinking down and barely hanging on by a thread.
Be assured that if you know Christ as your personal Saviour He is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
As I write this, I am facing surgery tomorrow morning (December 1st) to remove cancer in my left breast. It will be an axillary lymph node dissection and lumpectomy. The extent of surgery will depend on how much cancer they find that needs to be removed. Not knowing to what extent will need to get removed is what’s scaring me the most.
I’ve had to stop taking most of my supplements for a week prior to surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding or blood pressure going too low while under. It has been a tough week as most of the supplements I take help to ease the lasting symptoms from the lightning strike five years ago.
As my friend Chelsea says, “It says a lot about my supplements.” They’ve definitely been helping. Without them, my neuropathy is painful. I’ve had more headaches. My muscles have been throbbing, twitching, and spasming. My stomach has been upset more. My bones are prone to pop out of joints. I’ve been in more pain, grouchy, and snappy.
James 1:2-3 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” Trials certainly do test your patience.
How does one have joy in trials or suffering?
According to James 1:2, we are to consider hardships and trials as joyful or as reasons to rejoice. This is completely unnatural for us humans. Our natural tendency is to grumble and complain when things don’t go our way. But God wants us to do the opposite.
How is it possible to constantly be joyful?
The secret is revealed by Paul in Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord alway“. The source of a Christian’s delight, which is the Lord, is the secret to that joy.
As hard as it is, we need to think of all the reasons for joy in our lives. Regardless of what is going on in your life, there are reasons to be thankful. There are blessings all around us. God is right there beside you guiding your steps and choices.
Joy can be experienced by learning a few keys during hardships and trials…
1. Keep an attitude of gratitude
There is always something for which to be grateful. This means if you’re only able to just meet your daily needs even if it’s not everything you’d like to have, you can still be grateful for what you do have – a roof over your head, clothes to wear, a loving family, air to breathe, etc.
You can always be thankful for your family, being alive, available necessities of life, nature, beautiful sunset or sunrise, etc.
Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
You can look forward to the good that will come to you through your trial and count your hardships as blessings.
2. Praise God in the trial
It’s not necessary to conceal our fears, tears, or doubts in order to have a praise-filled attitude; we can still cry out to God while we are suffering. Honest prayer to God is not incompatible with thanking God in the midst of pain.
Psalms 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
God is always listening and wants to answer our prayers. He will deliver us. Our trials and our response to those trials can be a springboard to help others trust God.
Things to praise God for:
- His comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
- His working
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
- His peace
Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
3. Choose to trust God
God can be depended upon and trusted. He loved us so much that He gave His best to redeem us. He gave His only begotten Son.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
4. Focus on God, not the trial
Ever wonder why two people can be given the same task and one will triumph while the other barely get by or fails? It’s their perspective.
Your perspective determines your outcome.
Determine to shift your focus on the One who controls everything. When we concentrate on the problem, it gets bigger and we begin to feel overwhelmed, and insignificant to handle the problem.
Remember that “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). No matter how enormous your trial may seem, God is bigger and can handle it.
As we focus on God instead of our problems, our mind is renewed and we realize that He is the answer to our every need.
You have the choice. You can choose to concentrate on your pain or you can blame God and become bitter. Trials are a fact of life. Your response to trials is YOUR responsibility. Choose to “count it all JOY”.
