“A JOURNEY INTO JOY”

A few moments ago there was a reminder of what God has to say through His scriptures about going through times of trouble and tribulation. All have had trouble and tribulation in jobs, ministries, families, friends, finances, health issues and much more. For instance, there are those facing heart operations, back operations, shoulder operations, pain that is a constant companion, and those with cancer. There are those whose reality is divorce, alienation from parents and/or children, loss of jobs, and loss of retirement

Scripture says to remember what God says about these things. Scripture speaks through the Holy Spirit and says “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,”[1] by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises,[2] so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”[3]

Another scripture that comes to mind is absolutely contrary to the world view as opposed to the scriptural view. It says to “Count it all JOY, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.[4]

JOY!! What a word. Please use a concordance and look up this word, especially if you are in the midst of trials and tribulations. Read Philippians. Look at JOY through the mind of Paul and his circumstances. Don Williams wrote a commentary on Philippians called “The Journey into JOY.” What an appropriate title for his commentary. It truly is a journey that Paul expresses as JOY. A key verse in Philippians that illustrates this point is “for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”[5]

As you may know this scripture, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” is a premier scripture for athletes and athletic ministries. This scripture is only a part of the whole. This particular scripture is the answer to being content and full of JOY.

As many friends face an uncertain future let us pray that these scriptures will be encouraging, uplifting and strengthening. Let us pray that we will face this future with JOY and a hope that we will continue to learn to be content, because it is God that strengthens us. And the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.[6]AMEN

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[1] English Standard Version (ESV) gives a clearer rendering of this scripture instead of the New International Version (NIV)

[2] “Precious and very great promises” are from scripture

[3] 2Peter 1: 3,4

[4] Read James 1:2-27 and see JOY in its context

[5] Philippians 4:11b-13

[6] Philippians 4:7