Joy for the Journey: Finding Hope in the Midst of TrialNäide

In this life, we will have trials. Jesus even tells his disciples that in John 16:33, and James writes that we need to “Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Joy. How can I have joy when my son or daughter is on the streets? How can I have joy when my husband comes home every night drunk? How can I have joy when my loved one doesn’t want recovery? How can I have joy when my brother is in prison?

God knows our trials before we walk through them, and He knows the exact moment they hit us. No trial we ever endure is a surprise to Him.

We may not know the whys or the hows, but God does. He knows WHY we are going through this, and He has a plan and purpose, but it is up to us how we will respond to these trials.

Accepting and embracing trials will likely not result in a special immunity to them. We will be subjected to them as much as everybody else. In the midst of trial, we can gain a different perspective and better respond to circumstances that seem to take our breath and hopes away.

We can even experience joy during our difficulties.

We can choose to sit in a trial and try to “fix” it because we believe we know better, but that only leads us to become resentful, miserable, and sick. The better choice is to give everything to God and trust Him through the trials.