“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:18
Happy is easy when all is well and going smoothly, not so much when things begin to fall apart. What destroys your happiness?
Unfair criticism.
Misbehaving kids resulting in YOU being called to the Principal’s office, again.
Harsh words from a friend.
Overlooked for a promotion for the second time in a year.
Loss of job.
Strained or broken relationship with a loved one.
A tragic accident or serious medical diagnosis.
The death of someone close.
The list of things that that can kill “happy” is seemingly endless, which may be why we don’t see a command in the Bible to be happy. Happy is a feeling – an emotional response to feeling that all is well; it’s the feeling you get when your situation or circumstance is pleasant to you.
Most of us will quickly agree that life is not one series of happy events occurring one after another.
Unlike “happy,” joy (joyful, rejoice, rejoicing) is a function of the intellect. It is an intentional, intellectual response to GOD, not to your circumstances.
“Count it all joy . . . when you meet trials of various kinds . . .” James 1:2
Even as he picked up his pen to write his letter to the Jewish churches scattered throughout the Roman empire, James knew that times were difficult for the Jewish believers. They had fled Jerusalem because of the persecution taking place, leaving behind their lives and livelihoods, friends, family, and possessions. The majority of the displaced Jewish Christians were very poor, living hand-to-mouth, mistreated, and abused.
Overall, it was not “happy times” for the Jewish Christians, and yet, in James 1:2, James tells the Jewish believers that they are to be joyful. He wrote that even in times of trials and struggles, there is a reason for joy.
Notice that James doesn’t sugarcoat it. He doesn’t say “if” trials come, he says “when.” His point is that unhappy times, trials, and struggles are a certainty in the lives of all believers – those hard times will come.
James explained the reason for joy in the following two verses:
“For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect
and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:3, 4
James tells the believers that the difficult times they were experiencing had purpose. The purpose of their trials was to grow the steadfastness of their faith – equipping and perfecting them. God’s Holy Spirit was at work in the believers as they were going through the difficulties of each day.
He doesn’t tell them to be happy or have fun, he tells them to recognize and claim the joy. It’s a function of the mind not of the emotions. For the believer there is to be joy in knowing that God is at work in them.
It does not mean that there is no stress, frustration, anger, suffering, pain, or sorrow as you go through an awful situation. It does mean that even in our deepest sorrow – in our worst moments, God’s Holy Spirit can give you an underlying joy that will bring comfort and peace. HE will sustain you – if you allow Him to do His work in you.
Psalms is filled with rejoicing and praise during times of great hardship:
Psalm 5:11 “But let all who take refuge in YOU rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may exult in YOU.”
Psalm 31:7 “I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul . . .”
Psalm 64:10 “Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him! Let all the upright in heart exult!”
These New Testament passages indicate times of affliction and suffering and yet there is rejoicing:
Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Romans 5:2-3 “Through Him (Jesus Christ) we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.”
Romans 12:12“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Peter 1:6-8“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.”
How are we supposed to accomplish this seemingly impossible task? If you read through the verses above looking for the keys to claiming JOY in trials, you will find the following:
God is your refuge in times of trouble – run to HIM. (Psalm 5:11, Psalm 64:10)
God sees your situation – He knows your pain. (Psalm 31:7)
Remember your HOPE. (Matthew 5:12, Romans 5:2-3; Romans 12:12)
Stay in communication with your Father through prayer. (Romans 12:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
God’s Holy Spirit is doing His transforming work in you. (Romans 5:2-3, 1 Peter 1:6-8)
When everything seems to be falling apart . . . REJOICE.
Your JOY is not dictated by your circumstances.
JOY comes from recognizing that it is GOD working in you through your circumstances. (Philippians 2:12)
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
Philippians 4:4