Finding Joy In Every Circumstance
Recently, Cassidy, Wallace, and I spent a couple days with my grandparents in New York.
Grandpa and Grandma Stoltzfus continually inspire their 9 children, 49 grandchildren, and 40 great-grandchildren.
They’re both in their 80s, and physical pain is a constant reality. Yet they’re about the most joyful, grateful, and contented people I know. Those who know them chuckle at Grandpa’s witty sense of humor, and smile at Grandma’s contagious laugh.
They remind me that true joy and happiness is a choice, not just an emotion. No matter what trials, pain, or circumstances we face, we can find joy by living in light of three powerful truths about God.
God Is Always With Us.
If we know Jesus as Savior, He has promised to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Whether we stand on a mountaintop or sit in a valley, we can “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil 4:4), for He is still with us.
Every day, we can experience abundant joy when we choose to focus, not on our abysmal circumstances, but our amazing Creator. Because of this, with David, we can “Bless the Lord at all times” (Psalm 34:1).
God’s Promises Are Always True.
Psalm 119:89-90 states, “For ever, Oh Lord, thy Word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations.”
No matter what storms we face in life, God’s faithfulness remains unchanged by the shifting tides of circumstances. Our petty problems can never change God’s precious promises.
In life’s discouraging moments, we should rejoice in “the exceeding great and precious promises” that God has given us (2 Peter 1:3).
God Is All We Need
Though we lose all our earthly possessions, we are still “complete in Him” (Colossians 2:10).
God never promised us the benchmarks of earthly success—fame, wealth, position, and power. But He did promise us joy if we seek Him. We can have true joy, fulfillment, and peace in our souls if we recognize Christ as all we need and live our lives in light of that truth. As David said “In thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).
Learning to Be Joyful
Paul said, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11). His testimony reminds us that true joy and gratitude does not come automatically. It must be learned.
Will you allow Christ to teach you joy in every circumstance?
Question: How does a joyful perspective change our actions?
4 Comments
ChelsyRenee · June 1, 2019 at 12:36 pm
Amen! Could not possibly ask for more incredible grandparents with such beautiful testimonies of THANKFULNESS in their lives! Love this post + picture! SO happy that y’all could make the trip.
Joshua Bontrager · June 1, 2019 at 9:56 pm
Chels,
Was definitely rewarding and so worth it!
J · May 28, 2019 at 8:47 pm
I’m currently in a crippled marriage trying to find joy in each day. I find it in Jesus and my child.
Joshua Bontrager · May 29, 2019 at 12:43 pm
J,
Thanks for sharing.
Hebrews 12:1-2 is a a great encouragement to all of us, no matter what troubles we may face: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
May we look to Him, and like Him, may we bear our crosses with joy.