Digging Deeper – Finding Joy Amid Suffering
Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
1 Peter 4:13 (NLT)
FINDING JOY AMID SUFFERING
How do we begin to find joy in our suffering? I believe it can start very simply. Each day, find something to thank God for. You may not feel thankful; you may even feel like a hypocrite, but thank Him anyway. We have to start somewhere. One of the keys to experiencing joy is cultivating a habit of thankfulness. And we must remember that every breath we take on this earth is a gift to be grateful for, given to us because our purpose here is not yet complete.
Another step in finding joy is releasing control. We can never have full control over our circumstances. God is the author of our paths, and we must learn to let go of the desire to direct our own destiny. We need to trust that He works all things together for His good, as it says in Romans 8:28. When we release control, we begin to find rest. Joy is not found in turmoil and stress; it is found in rest and release. God urges us to come to Him for rest, and He will not fail us.
Reflection: Take time today to note everything you have to be thankful for. Ask God to help you release control over your circumstances and to find rest in His presence.
Courtney Miller is the Special Needs ministry Director at NorthStar Church. She was born a Texas girl, but has lived in Georgia the majority of her life (Go Dawgs!). She married her husband, Chris, in 2012. They have two children with a third on the way.