An Opportunity to Choose Great Joy
Choose joy? When challenges and disappointments come? How can we count all this stuff as joy? You young’uns may not remember the old Hee Haw Show where the cast members sang this “miserable” song that went like this: “Gloom, despair, and agony on me; Deep, dark depression, excessive misery; If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all; Gloom, despair, and agony on me.” Those poor old guys lived way below these words from the Apostle James: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2
I’m writing this blog from my precious grandson’s experience last weekend. He had reasons to sing that Hee Haw song. I’m sure considering his troubles as “an opportunity for great joy.” was a stretch. You see, on Sunday, all dressed and ready to head to church, he went to his car….and his sweet-ride wasn’t there. My daughter gives these details: “Our son, Payton, had his car stolen this morning but I am so proud of his response to what could have been a very difficult morning. His response was: “Mom, I could be all upset and angry, but I choose JOY. I refuse to let this bring me down.” His trunk was full of some VERY special possessions and our family fishing equipment, which…if you know my family, is PRECIOUS cargo. But instead of being “normal”…our boy chose JOY.
She goes on to share: “I don’t know what you are going through, but today’s brief, but powerful sermon comes to you from my son’s own life experience today: “CHOOSE JOY!” “All things work together for good to them that LOVE GOD and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. And God, we pray for the people who stole his car and we ask you to forgive them and draw them into repentance. May they come to know you and the power of your resurrection!” Staci Wallace
So, there you go, Satan. Body-slam to you and all your little imps. Instead of Payton losing his joy, he sensed God speaking to him to take a deep breath and receive the encouragement of joy when he needed it the most. If we read this verse “Count it all joy” (James 1:2) as a stand-alone suggestion, it seems impossible to put it into practice. Yet, if we read the context behind it in Scripture, it takes on an entirely new perspective and begins to seem — with God’s help — doable.
James wrote that verse during a time when the Christians were facing insurmountable problems that had stolen their joy. But in their defense, these believers had justifiable reasons to have a bad attitude. They faced great persecution, unrelenting trials and sufferings — from murder to imprisonment — at the hands of Saul, who was zealous to destroy the church and anyone associated with Jesus. As a result, these Christians were in fear, mourning, confusion, and hopelessness.
Some fled their homes in fear for their lives. They lived in poverty, forced to scrounge for food to survive. Some were sick, and everyone was exhausted. They had every right to be negative and pessimistic. James acknowledged their suffering but also wanted to give them hope and encouragement. He told them inner joy could still be theirs, if they deliberately chose to take control of their thinking and change their attitude. He encouraged them to pause and refocus on their faith.
When life gets hard, it’s difficult to avoid letting a bad attitude take over our minds and rule our lives. We might not experience religious persecution as those first believers did, but let’s face it: people hurt us, the past haunts us, coworkers mistreat us, friends forsake us, spouses dishonor us, children don’t appreciate us, finances don’t support us, and our health doesn’t sustain us. James’ words can help us, too.
Our attitude is our choice and knowing whatever circumstances we face don’t have the power to dictate that “loser” attitude unless we let them. Although enduring problems with a smile and pure joy in our hearts can be difficult, doing so not only helps us become stronger believers, it opens the door for an attitude transformation. Our attitudes are an outward display of what’s taking place in our hearts. When our hearts focus in the right place, our attitudes will, too. The only thing we have to lose by choosing a positive attitude is a negative one.
Lord, fill us with a joy that can only come from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.