Why we can Rejoice During Trials

Exactly what are we celebrating? It’s not a holiday. (Well, it probably is—somewhere in the world.) Nonsense still abounds in the world and in our lives. Our dreams still haven’t been realized.

Some of you may be thinking “Are you kidding me? Rejoice about what?! You have no idea what I’m going through! How can you suggest being joyful when I’m still…”

• Disrespected by my kids and others 
• Not making the money I need 
• Fighting overwhelming health concerns 
• Unable to reason with important people in my life

Setbacks are Part of Life.

Most individuals have a long list of unfulfilled expectations. Sure, it’s natural for some childhood goals to be revised and downgraded. On the other hand, many adults are dealing with significantly limited lifestyles that bear no resemblance to the wide-eyed dreams of their adolescence. Today, I propose we rejoice because, believe it or not, it could be worse:

• Sandy was in an automobile accident. An elderly driver had a stroke and plowed into her car. Sandy has to buy a new car, and she’s currently on vacation. My friend is nowhere near where she will need to register the new vehicle. The good news is she wasn’t hurt. 
• The cost of living is high where I live. Since I haven’t been able to work for some time, my finances are diminishing. This is the good news: I don’t live in California, where I would have to ration water; and, I don’t live in Baltimore, Maryland, the place of recent riots.

What is the true cause of many of our struggles?

 

I submit that Satan attacks our minds. That is his first line of offense. If he messes up our thinking, he’s already won the battle. We will do the rest of his work for him by not believing in our own potential. In other words, we limit ourselves.

God’s plan is to give us a good, abundant life. The devil does everything he can to prevent that. He wants us to fail.

My Conclusion: Happiness Despite Delayed Dreams

The only way to overcome darkness is with light, literal or figurative.  The past few days have been ridiculously stressful. I wondered how my life could ever improve.

Yet, I kept up with my responsibilities:

• Chores and errands 
• Helping my daughter with her homework 
• Community Volunteering 
• Writing 
• Reading and reviewing a friend’s book

What is the result of my self-sacrifice, the spreading of spiritual light? I feel an unparalleled surge of energy and optimism. I have been freed from the darkness. My mood is not likely to be a permanent, off-the-charts kind of renewal; but, I’ll take what I can get. The process of giving to other people brought me into the sunlight.

Joyce Meyer says we can be happy where we are on the way to where we’re going. Life is about the journey, not just the destination. We all have trials. That means everyone has plenty of opportunities to choose optimism, or pessimism.

Do you choose to be content, or sad?