THE JOY OF THE LORD
How can we be joyful as we face trials? I think of the Apostle Paul. Here was a man who was no stranger to hardship. Scriptures say that he was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and in danger nearly everywhere that he went. His sufferings were far greater than any I have ever known. Through it all the Apostle Paul somehow remained joyful. He said that he delighted in hardships because inspite of his weaknesses he discovered the Lord's strength. He said that he was hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Can you imagine responding to lifes challenges this way? In 2 Corinthians 7:4 Paul said, "In all our troubles my joy knows no bounds." I think that it is pretty safe to say that the Apostle Paul had a great attitude. He knew pain and suffering but he also knew how to respond because he understood that the joy of the Lord was his strength. In the midst of difficult circumstances the Apostle Paul faced his hardships with great faith while always trusting in the Lord. He demonstrated that when we are suffering we can actually have a joy in our hearts at the very same time. It is a blessing from God that sustains us through our troubled times and can be experienced even during our darkest hour. The joy of the Lord provides us with strength in every circumstance. I am thankful that we can always depend upon Him.
May the God of hope fill you
With all JOY and peace in believing,
That you may abound in hope
By the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Do not sorrow,
For the JOY of the Lord
Is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10
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