Joy In All Situations
Is God more concerned with our comfort or our character?
We worry and are concerned about how to make our lives more comfortable, while God is focused on our character. We think that comfort will bring peace of mind, but we see example after example of those with more than they could ever want, living lives of depression and shame. There is only one thing that can bring eternal hope which leads to joy and that’s finding your identity and purpose through faith in Jesus Christ.
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Are you content with what you have or are you still looking for something more to give your life meaning and purpose?
Paul and Silas were put in prison because Paul healed a slave girl who was possessed by an evil spirit, and she could no longer make money for her slave owners.
Acts 16:23-25 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
Paul and Silas trusted the Lord and that meant that nothing could steal their joy. Imagine seeing two guys praising God in song after they had been illegally thrown in prison still bloody from being beaten. What we focus on will become our treasure. If we treasure stuff and comfort, we will eventually become unsatisfied with even the greatest of riches. If we focus on knowing God, we will start valuing what He values more and more. Then the things that happen to us won’t be able to dictate our peace and joy.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through these scriptures?
