Lindsay Roberts
Nehemiah 8:10 says, The joy of the Lord is your strength. And James 1:2–3 tells you to count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of trials and tests, for the trying of your faith works patience.
The circumstances you are facing today may not be joyful, but the Bible says the joy of the Lord is your strength. When you know that the Lord is on the scene, that He is in control, and that He can take care of the situation, then you can be joyful. You don’t have to stir up your own joy. You can count the test or trial as joy when you have an understanding of God’s Word, and you know the Word of God can work in your life.
The book of Philippians is composed of letters which Paul wrote to the Church in Philippi. They were nicknamed “The joyful letters”. When Paul wrote these letters he was in an underground jail. And yet Paul said that he was full of joy. In Philippians 4:4, He said, Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
How could Paul rejoice at that time in his life? He rejoiced because he had made a decision to rejoice, and he was determined to be joyful in all things. He didn’t say that everything was always going to be hilarious or wonderful. But if you let the joy of the Lord be your strength, then you can face your tests and trials joyfully.
James 1:2-4 says continues that thought by saying, “Count it all joy knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience in you. Allow patience to do a thorough work in you so that at the end of your trial, you may be perfect, lacking nothing!”
