Reclaiming our Joy

     Years ago, I took one of our sons to his Saturday soccer game in Sebring where it was being held.  After the game, I went to Walmart to do some shopping and came home.  That evening, I laid down on our bed to read the paper and glanced at my engagement ring.  To my absolute horror, the diamond was missing.  Evidently a prong holding the diamond in place was broken.  Of course, I immediately panicked.  I checked the van, looked around the house thoroughly, and even called Walmart to report the missing diamond and see if any good soul had by chance found it and turned it in.  No one had.
     On the next day, I drove up to Sebring to the soccer field and scoured the area where our game had taken place looking carefully in the loose dirt to see if I had lost it there.  Then, I went to Walmart again and asked if anyone had turned it in.  There was no result nor had anyone seen anything.  I was devastated.  Talk about losing my joy!
     Whenever circumstances or unexpected happenings hit us, we are tempted to do just what I did.  Panic!  But the Lord has a remedy for us that reaches above these things to see us through and keep our joy intact.  Psalm 66: 8-12 says:  "Oh, bless our God, you peoples!  And make the voice of His praise to be heard, Who keeps our soul among the living, and does not allow our feet to be moved.  For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.  You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs.  You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; but you brought us out to rich fulfillment."  Sometimes, God allows the suffering or the affliction for our growth in patience and righteousness.  He tests our hearts and refines us like silver that the Psalmist mentioned.

God's beautiful sky!

     This Psalm is similar to Paul's description of what he and the other Apostles faced for the sake of God's people.  It is recorded in 2 Corinthians 4:8-10:  "8we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."  We know from Scripture that Paul had been stoned and nearly died.  He had been bitten by a poisonous snake from which God spared his life, and he was imprisoned unjustly.  Yet, through all the trials, Paul makes it clear that while he and others endured hardship they were able to maintain their joy in the Lord for the sake of God's glory through Christ.  When we look at his life, what, really, do we have to complain about?
     Of course, Paul and the Psalmist were not the only ones to tell us about how to react to suffering, loss and circumstances.  James wrote the following: (James 1:2-4):  "2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  This is really what God wants to build in us...perseverance that we can become mature as believers.  No one said that the life of a Christian would be easy.  In fact, the Lord said that we would face tribulations in this world.  So how can we regain our joy when trials come our way?
     Perhaps the best way is to begin is by praising the Lord as the Psalmist did in Psalm 66.  We thank the Lord for working in us because we are not yet able to see what He is doing.  His perspective is far different than ours, and His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).  Then, we should praise Him for all He has done for us.  If we really want to restore our joy, this is the road we need to travel.
     I used to have a sign above our computer that read:  "Joy is not the absence of sorrow but the presence of God."  Joy is far different than being happy.  It is the deep abiding grace that only God can give through Jesus Christ His Son.  We must not let the enemy steal His peace and joy from our hearts.  Praise is the answer!
     Fortunately, for me, our insurance covered the cost of a new diamond to replace the one lost.  I did not need to panic.  God worked out this situation, but even if He had not, my joy, my life are not dependent on things but upon Him.  Let us learn to praise Him in the midst of our trials for He is working for our good and His glory!  Selah!