Overcoming Tragedy: A 4-Day Plan for Finding Hope Amid Life's ChallengesSample

DAY 4: Choosing Joy

In John 16, Jesus gives the disciples insight into what will happen after He is gone from the earth. He tells them He knows He is going to die, and there will be much persecution after His death. He goes on to say that the suffering will be like labor pains, but, in the end, there will be joy.

Life is not easy, but it is meant to bring joy. We are meant to grow, learn, deeply appreciate, and love other humans and what creation has to offer — when life is smooth and especially when life is challenging.

The question Tommy is asked most often is how he can be happy with the paralysis that caused a total change in his life after being healthy and active for 49 years? It’s a valid question. Let’s face it, all of us want to be happy and have joy in our lives. 

Tommy has chosen to live every day in God’s purpose. Despite his disability, Tommy still works at Sage Partners, our commercial real estate firm. It takes about four hours each morning to feed, shower, medically prepare, and dress him to get ready for work — and almost that much time to get him ready for bed at night. But almost every afternoon, when health permits, he is at the office contributing to the company and the community.

He and Robyn inspire hundreds of people. Tommy regularly speaks to groups in the community who call on him. 

John 16:24 says, “…Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (NIV) Use your faith in God and prayer to lift you up on a daily basis. Be very specific about your requests, and if they are in God’s will … God can handle it.

Count each day as a blessing because you are only given one day at a time. Use your day with purpose and choose to be happy. You may have many issues on your mind that cause sadness, but be happy realizing that you have the opportunity to live that day.

TIP(s) FROM TOMMY

Be grateful for the many blessings in your life. For example, you are a child of God. I believe He loves you no matter what your faith may or may not be. Your family, your friends, your health and God’s beautiful earth are all gifts for us to enjoy.

PRAYER

God, Your joy fills my life. Help me show Your love through my circumstances so others can experience that same joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

ENDING

Paralysis can sound like a very scary word. But here’s the thing: The body isn’t the only thing that suffers from paralysis. There’s also emotional paralysis and, worst of all, spiritual paralysis. 

We can tell you, because we’ve seen it and lived it, that there are far worse things than physical paralysis. Emotional paralysis will cripple your relationships. And we can’t imagine anything much worse than spiritual paralysis – it will torture your soul. 

We all get stuck in life from time to time, and some of those times can last pretty long. Our lives get flipped.

We hope this devotional has encouraged you to lean on God in times of tragedy and in times of joy. When Jesus looks at us, He sees our soul, not just our physical situations. He takes an eternal view of who we are and transforms us in a way that helps us see in others what God sees in them. 

We hope this has done just that for you.

-- Robyn and Tommy Van Zandt, Vicki and Mark Saviers

Need some more encouragement? If you or someone you know has been flipped, please visit https://www.flippedstory.com/resources/ for more information or to find out more about the book Flipped. 

Receive our guide on The 5 Ways to Triumph Over Tragedy. Visit https://gaineselevategroup.lpages.co/flipped-5-ways-to-triumph-over-tragedy/ where you will receive first-hand access to our flipped story content.