Finding Joy in Uncertain Times
A recent announcement at our Sunday morning church service left many of us feeling surprised, shocked, and concerned. As we discussed it over lunch, we realized that this news had the potential to steal our joy if we didn’t focus on Jesus and the Almighty God.
The Joy Robbers in Our Lives
An elderly gentleman shared a valuable insight: the things that never happened often rob us of joy. How often do we worry about tomorrow’s uncertainties, only to find that they never materialize? The Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 4:11 come to mind: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Are we truly content in all circumstances?
Identifying the Joy Thieves
What replaces joy in our lives? Here are some common “joy robbers”:
• Fear of the unknown, fear of health issues, fear of losing control
• Fear of loneliness, fear of change, fear of embarrassment, fear of job loss, financial debt, growing old, and losing physical attractiveness
• Anger, jealousy, criticism, worry, and many more
Regaining Joy
So, how can we reclaim our joy? When I feel anxiety, fear, or anger creeping in, I pause and ask God to help me identify the emotion. I admit it to Him and ask Him to replace it with peace and joy, trusting in His sufficiency to handle the situation.
Trusting in God’s Sufficiency
God reminds us to live one day at a time, trusting in His strength and mercy. As Deuteronomy 33:25 says, “As your days, so shall your strength be.” Lamentations 3:21-23 echoes this truth: “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”
Trusting in God’s Wisdom
As we concluded our discussion, we realized that God could handle the situation, but we needed to trust Him for wisdom and follow His direction. We prayed, “Father, thank You for giving us everything we need to follow Your directives.”
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