Choose Joy
By Karen D’Amore
“...whenever troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”
James 1:2 (NLT)
My affection for words has spurred a growing collection of jewelry inscribed with my favorite words. Aware of my collection and love of words, a friend recently gave me a necklace inscribed with the word “JOY.” Though I absolutely LOVE the necklace... “Joy” was not in my repertoire of favorite words.
Within the month following receipt of this beloved gift, the word “joy” began popping up everywhere. From random Facebook posts to songs, sermons, emails, billboards and Bible studies. I found myself immersed in a joy-themed arena. Initially, I didn’t give it much thought until the immersion transitioned into a ridiculous (almost comical) saturation. In hindsight, I should have recognized God’s presence in the “joy”-themed saturation. Was there a message to be gleaned? Was He preparing me for something?
I was wearing the “JOY” necklace when the trial struck. Fixating on the troubling circumstances, I re-hashed the details until the trial eventually stole my joy! Defeated, I chose seclusion and isolation. In the midst of that seclusion, God - - in His innate tenderness - - diverted my focus from my circumstances to His manifestations of tranquility. Just beyond my bedroom window, in the quiet of the soft falling snow, a herd of deer lay peacefully bedded down. As I was entranced by the embodiment of serenity, God used the distraction to uplift and encourage my aching heart. Moments later, I read a Facebook post with a wooden sign bearing the inscription... “Choose Joy!”
While I fixated on my joy-robbing circumstances, God reminded me of His goodness. In the verse above, Paul writes that trials could either become an obstacle or an “opportunity for great joy.” With my favorite word being “faith,” I was reminded trials are opportunities for faith-testing and endurance-growing. Once I stopped dwelling on my circumstances and meditated on God’s faith-building process, I worked to “Choose Joy!”
In this life we will face trials, each holding the potential to be joy-robbers or joy-growers... the choice is ours! Will you choose to worry or worship? The source on which we fixate influences our choices. “If there is any virtue and anything praise worthy - - meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8b, NASB). Let’s meditate on God’s praise worthy virtues and...“Choose JOY!”
“Choosing JOY is being able to see God’s goodness even when life is hard and messy!” (1)
GOING DEEPER:
- What’s affecting your ability to be joyful?
- Where’s your focus?
FURTHER READING:
Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and a Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility.
