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Mar 19, 2023 06:00am

Joy When You’re Going Through It

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Less than 4 hours after teaching 30 church women a lesson entitled, “Joy When You’re Going Through It”, a nightmare tragedy occurred. When you’ve just wrapped up a three-part series on living with joy, the last thing you expect is a full-on challenge to everything you’ve poured your heart and soul into teaching. But that, my friend, is exactly what happened.

It’s still hard to fathom, but a 39 year old mother of four and a well-respected and beloved elementary teacher in our community took her own life. By a divine appointment, I was chauffeuring three educators to the hospital when we got the news. So, there I was. With the co-workers. With the family. In an extremely uncomfortable front row seat to the horror.

I cannot explain the devastation and confusion and overall sadness that covered them and our entire town like a weighted blanket. It was hard to speak. Hard to move. Hard to understand.

And still is.

But a shift has taken place.

Just a couple of weeks removed from the funeral, things are not “back-to-normal” by any stretch, and I expect only a new normal to ever be as close as we get. But I was struck by something as I returned for a routine reading visit at the elementary school today. As the kids criss-cross-apple-sauced across the reading rug eager to hear “Thidwick the BIG-Hearted Moose” by Dr. Seuss, I was greeted with a tight squeeze from the 7 year old daughter left behind, an innocent victim in this tragedy. She sat at my feet proudly adorned in her new heart necklace featuring a picture of herself and her late mama.

I quenched the dagger piercing my heart, forced a smile and started reading.

We got through the book and after another round of hugs and smiles, the kids were off to recess. I made the trek back to the office sorting through my own emotions. I walked down the hall past “her” hallway, past the counselors office where thousands of little tears have fallen in the last few days, and peered into the principal’s office where countless phone calls and attempts at making peace have been made.

I signed out and went back to my car.

And here’s what struck me: “Joy comes in the morning.”

I could hardly believe it.

Sorrow is real. Struggle is ongoing. Pain can be unbearable. Grief comes in waves, darkness lurks and trouble is easy to find, but in the midst of it all, the light of God and His presence IS.

Joy has never been found in the lack of problems, but in the presence of God. He’s there. His people are there. And He meets the broken and the hurting where they are in ways only He can. And there is joy.

Amazing.

I had absolutely no idea what was coming the night I taught the third part of my series on JOY. Had I known, I assure you I would have changed lessons! But I’m so thankful for the sovereignty of God because now I am watching the truth of His word prove itself. I don’t know your story or your heartache or the depths of your pain, but I know God will be there and I know He can, in all His glory, make a way.

Here are 4 Biblical steps to discovering joy when you’re going through it…whatever “it” is.

1. Count or consider the facts versus the feels.

James 1:2-4 says, 2 Count it all joy, my brothers,when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The word “count” literally means to think and consider. God doesn’t want us to ignore or pretend hard things don’t exist, nor does He require us to squash our emotions…He created those. But, His word admonishes us to engage our minds and process trials differently.

The first step is to seriously consider, perhaps even create an objective list, noting what is actually true and known about the situation and more importantly, about God.

2. Identify your biggest spiritual weakness and how it might crush your endurance.

The passage in James demonstrates God’s desire to produce something more in us. He wants to use the trial to make us stronger, to build our character and endurance so that we are the kind of people who persevere in Him. It’s the opposite of giving up. So, pinpoint the breaking point. What is it about you that flares up or shows up when you are under stress? Where are you the most vulnerable? Write it down. Look at it. And then offer it up to God. When we examine our spiritual lives and work with God, He is able to change us in ways we simply cannot.

Where we are weak, He is strong.

3. Change focus from wanting answers to trusting promises.

James 1:12 says 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

God’s word is full of promises for His children. He can take the most awful situations and work them through His masterful hands to make something good. Something unbelievably good.

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose.

He promises life to the full, now and forever, for those who remain faithful to Him. Focusing our attention and our thoughts on His goodness and His promises shifts our hearts from hopeless despair to joyful hope. Which leads to #4…

4. Anticipate the “morning” because joy comes.

Psalm 30:5 says weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning. Key words: joy comes. It may come in waves. It may come and go in moments. But, God is merciful and gracious and He loves deeply. He blesses us with joy. His joy.

And know we do need faith. Everyone’s faith is tested. Everyone. And when it is, our faith is the password to our joy. Even when we don’t see the way out or the way up, faith is believing. Faith is the conviction that Jesus is enough. It’s confidence in knowing Jesus is superior. Full stop.

Jesus is superior.

And He is there. In His presence there is fullness of joy; joy when you’re going through it.