STEADFAST FAITH: The Power of Proper Perspective, Part Two

Good morning, Radiant friends!

It’s a warm, breezy Spring morning here in Birmingham. I am writing this blog post a week later than I’d hoped. I’ve been following the Lord on some wonderful adventures! Discipleship and women’s ministry have been my focus, and the Lord has overwhelmed me with one beautiful experience after another. Interestingly, I was also under the weather the whole entire time! I apparently had a virus that became a sinus infection that just would not go away! It’s interesting that only when my ability to breathe well is challenged do I stop and thank God for the ability to breathe! And during those 3 weeks of mixed blessings, I thanked Him constantly for breath and oxygen and physical health. 

Now that I’m better, let’s talk about James 1:2, 

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” 

There’s so much we could say about this one little verse! To simplify things, I’ll narrow our focus. Let’s just focus on how to “count it all joy” in the face of hardship. 

We’ve probably all been told by now that joy is not happiness. Most people say happiness is based on our circumstances, while joy is more of a constant because it is not based on circumstances. I happen to think everything we feel is somehow correlated with our circumstances. More specifically however, it’s our perspective of our circumstances that determines our feelings about it! I can’t wait to share more about that with you!

I looked up some definitions of joy, just so we can begin from a place of clarity. Some would say that the biblical definition of joy is gladness, rejoicing, enjoyment, or even bliss. It’s when something so wonderful happens that we feel compelled to celebrate. Others would say that joy involves taking pleasure or delighting in something. So if we enjoy or delight in a circumstance in our lives - we can expect that to spark some joy in our hearts! In fact, stop and think about some things you’ve delighted in throughout your life. Did it create in you a desire to celebrate? Did it result in joyful feelings? 

If this is true, how can we count it all joy when we face various types of suffering and trials in life? I truly do not think James was suggesting that trials are by nature joyful. But I do believe he has helped us tap into a secret…a key to experiencing joy in the midst of even the most difficult circumstances. 

What is the key? The key is our perspective! It’s partly how we view our circumstances. And it’s partly what we focus on during our trials. It’s also related to what we are looking for when circumstances get really hard. Above all, it’s most assuredly a matter of faith.

Here’s something I’ve learned as a Christian counselor. Well, first, I’ve learned that Christians are often not very comfortable talking about emotions. I honestly think it’s just a matter of not fully understanding how God designed our emotions to function (I’d love to talk more about this another day). But something far more important that I’ve learned is this: 

A change in our perspective leads to a change in our emotions!

It doesn’t get much more biblical than that, does it? 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take our thoughts captive. We must take charge of our thoughts and perspectives, and it is especially necessary when we face suffering. When Paul addresses anxiety in Philippians 4:4-9, he takes this same approach! As you read this passage, please notice what it teaches about how to rejoice “always.” Notice what the Lord asks believers to do in order to achieve this joyful state: 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. 

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, 

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving 

let your requests be made known to God. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, 

whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, 

if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, 

think about these things. 

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—

practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 

Did you notice how many different ways these verses redirect our thoughts and perspectives? We are first made aware that the Lord is near. We are also asked to remain prayerful. We are asked to purposefully think praiseworthy thoughts. We are also instructed to be mindful of all we’ve learned in the past. These are all such powerful steps for us when we are suffering! And those steps alone can help us persevere in trials. Just like we’ve seen in James 1, the focus is on our thinking! There is still one other significant factor found in Phil. 4:4-9. This factor is a huge part of the key to experiencing joy in our trials: 

thankfulness.

Again, I will clarify - I am NOT saying that we are expected to be thankful for certain types of circumstances. Notice that 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says it is God’s will for us to give thanks in all circumstances, not for all circumstances. Consider, as an example, my friend whose husband is likely to pass from this earth today. Is that family thankful for cancer? Thankful to lose their husband and father? Does this circumstance in and of itself bring delight and joy? No, of course not! But have there been things along the way to cause them to celebrate and feel some joy? Oh yes! And it’s been happening from the very beginning! God did a mighty work in this man’s spiritual life once he was faced with the reality of his own mortality. There have been many answers to prayer as well. And a massive outpouring of love and support from friends and family have allowed this man and his wife to experience joy even in the valley of the shadow of death. How? 

They see so very clearly that in this very dark time, God is with them and making Himself known to them! They can delight in Him, His provision, and His love. They are still grieving, but they can’t help but also feel joy! Their circumstances haven’t changed. But their perspective and their focus have both changed. Just their awareness of God’s Presence with them has been enough to shift their focus. They have seen that even in suffering and deep sadness, it is possible to also experience joy.

If you’re a Christian, I have a feeling you’ve experienced this before too. It’s good for us to stop and remember…remember those moments when the Lord did something only He could do…right there in the middle of our sorrow! They are truly precious. Recalling these moments can strengthen us for the next hardship we face. 

I would like to propose two specific perspectives that can help us experience joy even while we suffer hardship. 

First, let’s expect to find God in the middle of our current circumstances. And let’s expect it so fully that we look for Him! Look for ways you can tell He is with you. Look for ways He has strengthened, upheld, or encouraged you. Look for His provision. Look for His protection. Notice the answered prayers. Look for ways He has given wisdom and guidance in decisions. Look for all the many ways He has been faithful to His Word! When you look for it, you will find it! And once you find it, give thanks! Giving thanks is one way of celebrating Him and allowing yourself to sit in the joy of that moment.

We can expect to find our Ever Faithful God in the midst of our trials with us. That’s joy for the present. It’s joy even as the hardship is happening. And guess what?! There is more joy to expect!

A second perspective to embrace in hardship is this: more joy is coming! There is joy for today, and even more joy for tomorrow. This perspective requires much faith - a faith that remains steadfast while waiting for the future joy set before us! Psalm 30:5 tells us “weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” It’s a faith that trusts that once the darkness of the hardship has lifted, there will be even more reason for joy. Because once the sun rises and the night has passed, we can see more clearly. In retrospect, we are often able to see even more ways He had been present and faithful. These new opportunities to see beauty in our rear view mirrors are occasions for joy! 

And then, my friends, there will also be newly created beauty! Expect joy on the road before you! Over time there will be new ways we can see how our sovereign God is still continuing to work. We will glimpse the ways He is working all things for good (Romans 8:28). It could be years later, but we can expect to see redemption. We will see it! How do I know? Because I know we serve a God who cannot be mocked (Galatians 6:7). He cannot disown Himself and become unfaithful (2 Timothy 2:13). I also know these things to be true, because I’ve seen it time and time again in my own life and in the lives of countless others around me! 

Do you realize what all of this means? We CAN count it all joy! Joy from yesterday. Joy today. And more joy tomorrow! Because He is sovereign yesterday, today, and forever! 

The joy begins during the trial, 

and 

we continue to find even more joy 

as time passes!

There’s a verse that comes to mind about this - Isaiah 45:3. In Isaiah 45:3 God says that He will give His people the “treasures of darkness.” That means when suffering comes, there will be valuable, priceless treasures for us to find on that dark path. Treasures to be found now, and more treasures to be found further down the road. I can’t help but wonder what kinds of treasures you’ve carried out of your hardest seasons. Maybe you’ve gained wisdom. Or maybe a deeper understanding of God’s Word. Or maybe a rich harvest of the fruit of the Spirit. How about faith? Did your faith grow more steadfast? 

The greatest of these treasures is the Lord Himself! He is our very great reward (Genesis 15:1)! Nothing is more joyful than an encounter with Him! Or a new understanding of Who He really is! Or a fresh glimpse of His purposes. There is so much beauty and glory to behold! All because - even though our circumstances shift and bring dark shadows upon our path, our Father of Heavenly Lights will stay the course! He will bring His Light into our shadows. Even if our faith feels as small as a mustard seed, we can use it to look for Him. And when we find Him there, let’s celebrate Him by giving thanks! 

When we can find nothing else to delight in, 

may we delight in Him! 

Celebrate Him, 

and count it all joy.

Joy now 

and more joy later. 

Looking to Him,

Tina 

P.S. I hope you will take time to recall His faithfulness to you in dark times. Then with joy, celebrate by giving Him thanks! Maybe you could even share your story with others who are currently struggling to walk through darkness. It might help them gain the perspective they need and find that the joy of the Lord is their strength.