“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1.2, NLT)

Trouble coming your way is a certainty. It isn’t really optional. Drama, problems and pain are unwelcome guests to everyone, no matter who you are; it’s part of being human.

How you react to those troubles is an option.

Notice the word James uses? Consider.

Think about it. Pause. Ponder it. Slow down.

When you face trouble it’s a golden opportunity to choose joy.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t always feel like being joyful when I get bad news or when trouble comes my way.

But, like everyone, I have a choice in how I respond to it.

Choosing joy through all situations isn’t easy, but it does help develop our character.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1.3-4, NLT)

Remember, joy and happiness are similar yet very different emotions.

Happiness            vs.              Joy

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Temporary                              Long lasting                                   

External                                   Internal

Circumstantial                       Christ-Centered

Fickle                                       Fixed on Jesus

Present                                    Promised Presence

Felt                                           Chosen

 

Joy is ultimately about a reliance on Jesus.

When you know that he is with you and for you it gets easier to choose joy.

Are you facing a difficult situation? Going through are rough spot? Is everything perfect?

Today is the perfect day to choose joy.