Joy in Tough Times (John 16:33)
" 'These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world' " (John 16:33, NKJV).
A long-held belief suggests that if a person is passing through difficulties it is because either that person must be doing something wrong or does not have enough faith. What a crude and cold view of God! Jesus said clearly that in this life we would all have troubles, both the believer and the nonbeliever. However much we love the story of Daniel in the lions' den, the fact is that most of the Christians thrown to the lions were torn to shreds by the beasts. The same with the three Hebrews who survived the fiery furnace; most Christians tied to the stake were, indeed, burned there!
Read Galatians 6:9, James 1:2-4, and 1 Peter 1:6. What hope, what promises can we take from these verses that could help us during painful times?
Consider the possibility that many believers today do not have joy simply because they are self-centered. However real our problems, by focusing solely on them, we only make them worse in our own minds. In reality, we do have reasons to rejoice, not in ourselves but in God.
After all, doesn't God say that "the very hairs of your head are all numbered" (See Matt. 10:30.)? Think of the promise inherent in those words. If, knowing our security is in Jesus, we would reach out and minister to someone else during our times of trial, we would know that self-pity can be turned to joy by a simple act of the will. "And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends" (Job 42:10, NKJV).
No matter what you might be struggling with now, reach out to someone who is, perhaps, going through something hard, as well. Surely you know someone who needs help, encouragement, support. How can bearing someone else's burdens lighten your own?
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