What is pure joy?
1999, May 20 Pure joy.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2 NIV).
I wonder if we could paraphrase this “Consider it an opportunity for pure joy when we face various troubles and trials.”
Not a cheap imitation, not a pretender, not an illusion of joy, not a flash in the pan or a fleeting moment.
But the real thing. . .pure joy!
With all the promises of happiness that we pursue or the ones thrown at us, the opportunity for pure joy comes from the most unlikely of places.
Our troubles and trials.
Our faith is what we trust in. So many things we trust in fail us, leaving us disillusioned and disappointed.
Troubles refine and distill our faith. The patience or perseverance that is developed through the testing of our faith results in somewhat of a value clarification. We begin to see and trust in things that do not disappoint us.
I guess we have to keep learning what we knew from the beginning That only in God can our expectations be met. The ideal of happiness that is part of our makeup must find its way back to our Creator.
It seems so simple.
However, by default we trust in what is seen, is visible, what we can touch. . .
Our job, net worth, bank account, home, etc.
I think I’m “on to” something with my thoughts this morning. Hopefully things will come together and I will learn the lesson and be able to articulate what is stirring in my heart.
