“Battle for Joy”

I’m making my shopping list. I just added “Joy” to my list. Dishwashing liquid that is. Wishing it was that simple to find joy in the midst of trouble. James said, “When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2) Perhaps remembering that truth when things were rough came easily to James, or maybe he had just been through enough bad times to learn it the hard way.

Ann Voskamp wrote about joy in a blog I read a while back. She said, “Battle for joy or lose your life.” That seems a bit melodramatic, but it’s true. When we allow circumstances to steal our joy, we feel lifeless and defeated. It is a battle. But how do we fight it?

I think that anytime we are faced with adversity, we must look to God’s Word for answers. My sincere prayer in the conflict I’m currently facing is for the issues to be resolved. But in the meantime, I have been miserable. I’m realizing how much I allow difficult circumstances to steal my joy. I’m looking for answers.

God’s Word tells me that I am victorious! “Does it mean that He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” (Romans 8:35&37)

God’s Word tells me that He will never leave me!  “For He (God) Himself has said, ‘I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. (I will) not, (I will) not, (I will) not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake nor let (you) down (relax My hold on you). Assuredly not!’” (Hebrews 13:5) I love this verse in the Amplified Bible! It doesn’t leave any room for doubt!

Most importantly, I think we must be mindful of the fact that most adversity is from the enemy. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) I think it’s especially difficult to remember this when our conflict is with other Christians.

We don’t want to believe that Satan can use other believers to wreak havoc in our lives. However, I think we need to be even more aware of Satan’s tactics when it comes to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Satan wants nothing more than to destroy the witness of God's power at work in our lives. If Satan can put us at enmity with one another, then the world might never see God’s love in action. “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us.” (I John 4:12)

Jesus said, “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35) And so, I choose love. And I choose joy. Believing that “when troubles come (my) way, (I should) consider it an opportunity for great joy.” 

(Note: Immediately after writing this blog, I went to Walmart and had to laugh at the large display of "Joy." I like that I will have a constant reminder at the kitchen sink.)