#beJOYfulSample

Recognizing Opportunities to Be Joyful

Several years ago, I was in Chicago for work and planned to meet up with a friend from college. She called to tell me she would be at my hotel in 10 minutes. I sat on my bed and waited for her. In less than 10 minutes, I fell asleep...deep asleep. My friend texted, called, and knocked on my door. I didn’t hear a thing. I felt awful. Not only did I waste her time, but I missed an opportunity to see one of my college besties.

Have you ever missed an opportunity? It might have been a job opportunity, an opportunity to convey to another person your feelings for him/her, a chance to get a discount on a product you want to purchase, or an opportunity to see your favorite artist in concert. For many of us, a common missed opportunity is the opportunity to experience joy when we go through a trial.

I love the way the New Living Translation translates James 1:2 – “when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” It resonates with me because opportunities are usually seen as being positive. And while the trouble itself may not be positive, there is a positive opportunity that comes out of it. Our trials are opportunities for great joy because they are opportunities for God to grow and mature us in our faith. Our trials, though incredibly confusing and painful, provide an opportunity for our faith to grow and for God to reveal Himself in a new way. When James tells us to “consider’, he’s asking us to shift our perspective and recognize the spiritual blessings that come from the trial; we can draw comfort from God’s hand in it.

Here’s a truth to treasure: To recognize opportunities for joy we have to modify our mindset. Every day God gives us fresh opportunities to experience His joy. We need to shift our perspective to who God is, what He has done, and what He is doing and will do. Unless we shift our perspective, we will not notice and appreciate opportunities for joy. Let’s get our shift together and recognize opportunities for joy.

Prayer: Dear God, I do not like trials, troubles, suffering, or pain; but I understand they are part of life. Help me to shift my perspective so I can recognize the joy opportunities present in my trial. I do not want to miss any opportunities to be filled with the joy you give freely.

Reflect: When has a specific struggle proven to be an opportunity for spiritual maturity? How can you begin to shift your perspective today?