Often, difficulties in life steal the joy in our heart. We focus on dealing with our problems and struggles that we forego joy. How can we be happy when we are suffering and in grief?

Friend, joy does not need to stop during hard times. We should continue to seek joy even in our darkest days. Why?

“Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

1 Peter 1:6-7 (GNT)

“My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

James 1:2-4 (GNT)

The above passages remind us that trials are testings of our faith. Instead of whining and complaining to God why He allow sufferings to our life, be glad for all the hardships and sorrows we experience. These are processes of refinement that will make us strong and give us the ability to endure. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was not spared of pain and sorrow in His life on earth. He embraced His suffering on the cross and submitted to His Father’s will. God the Father glorified Him in His death.

When problems and grief crush our spirit, that joy seems impossible to feel, let us turn to our Lord Jesus Christ. Meditating on His sufferings, we ask Him to fill our heart with the joy He promised to those who remain in His love.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

John 15:11 (GNT)

Joy is God’s gift to those who ask for it. A lifeline to grab when we are drowning in troubles and sorrows. Our Lord invites us to immerse ourselves in His everlasting love, to feel a complete joy which only He can give.

The prayer of prophet Habakkuk will inspire us to be joyful even in our worst days.

“For even though the fig tree doesn’t flourish,

nor fruit be in the vines,

the labour of the olive fails,

the fields yield no food,

the flocks are cut off from the fold,

and there is no herd in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD.

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

The LORD, the Lord, is my strength.

He makes my feet like deer’s feet,

and enables me to go in high places.”

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Friend, can you face your trials and sufferings with joy? It’s your choice to make. But we pray that over grief, anger, and bitterness, you will choose joy. Fix your eyes on God, for His presence in our life is fullness of joy.

“You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.”

Psalm 16:11

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