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If you consider Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary's definition of "joy", which is a strong feeling of happiness; gladness; delight, then it would be rather difficult, if not impossible, to experience this kind of joy in adverse circumstances. Pain hardly produces these optimistic emotions.
This kind of joy - happiness; gladness; delight - comes and goes based on the positive events of our lives. During your "fiery trials", you won't experience this fleeting, conditional joy. What you can experience in the midst of your pain, however, is "spiritual joy", the everlasting joy that is not of us, but of our Father.
In John 16:21, Jesus uses the analogy of a woman giving birth. She experiences pain and sorrow, but as soon as she gives life to a newborn baby, she doesn't even remember the pain because she's full of joy. So, yes, the disciples would feel sorrow at His leaving, but their "sorrow would be turned into joy," He says in John 16:20.
Likewise, in 2Corinthians 4:16, Paul explains that our afflictions (which he describes as "light") are temporary and they are "working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (Emphasis mine.) In other words, the pain we face now will be replaced by a permanent glory in the future - an everlasting joy.
In short, here's what I have learned from the Word of God:
1. Pain is always temporary and
2. If you just endure, it's always followed by an everlasting joy.
So, is it possible for you to experience joy while the storms of life are raging and the winds of change are blowing? Absolutely! The Bible promises us that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) and they that sow in tears will reap in joy (Psalm 126:5). These are beautiful promises for children of God. They will help you to endure adversity!
"Spiritual joy", which I define as the constant expectation of the promise of a great reward, is of God and it doesn't require positive circumstances. No matter what you may be going through, what trials you face, you can always expect great reward. There's a beautiful promise in Romans 8:28 that "all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Even in your pain, you can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that all things will work for your good. There is always glory on the other side of every trial - and that glory is the basis of your joy!
Even Jesus anticipated the glory on the other side of the cross! For that reason, he was able to withstand the pain of His crucifixion, the agony of betrayal and abandonment. Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross." (Emphasis mine.) He was able to endure and suffer because of the joy that was to come!
Fortunately, pain is temporary. So while you travail, you can expect the promise of a great reward. Your loving, intimate relationship with Christ allows you to experience His joy - and that joy will be your strength. His joy is a fruit of the Spirit; its a gift of God. And praise the Lord, it's a permanent joy - "no one will take it from you." (John 16:22)
Want to strengthen your faith and learn to encourage yourself in the Lord? Join Kingdom Friends™, Encouragement Coach LaVondilyn J. Watson's nationwide community of Christian women, and get targeted coaching and resources directly in your email inbox! It's free! Join today at http://www.encouragethekingdom.com and get a coaching download immediately!
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