Opening Prayer: Lord, gives us the courage and the perspective
to count it all joy when we face hard times; knowing that through them you are
going to do a great work in us. One that
will make us more into the people you long for us to be. Amen.
Scripture: James 1:2-4
Journal: What is your normal mindset when you go through
trying times? How is it possible to
count it all joy? How is God at work in
your life right now in a hard, but good way?
Reflection:
There is a distinct difference between joy and
happiness. Happiness is mostly
circumstantial; when suffering comes, happiness hits the road. But joy is much deeper, more
substantial. Joy is not dependent on
conditions being favorable. In fact, joy
is something that is able to endure the presence of pain and still abide. The word joy comes from the Greek word chara
which means a deep and sustaining gladness. This gladness is able to see the bigger
picture and to trust in the sacred heart of the One who can bring beauty from
ashes and victory from the jaws of defeat.
So when James tells us to count it all
joy when we face trials of many kind, he is not telling us we need to be
happy about it. He is telling us to
trust in the end result. He is telling
us that beneath the sorrow or the suffering or the pain is always a Hand that
is working in us to make us more and more into the people he desires for us to
be. This joy holds an unfailing trust in
his unfailing love; trust that regardless of the situation or the
circumstances, he is always up to something good. Thanks be to God.
Prayers
Closing Prayer: God of life and death, teach us to hold out
for a deeper life, for the prayerful consciousness that enables us to transcend
our petty needs for security and self-image, so that we may be free to rest in
communion with you. We do want life, but
we want the Big Life, which includes you and everything else too. Amen.
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