Have you seen the memes or comic strips on social media joking about erasing or wishing away the year 2020? Have you heard those around you comment the same or say things like: “I can’t wait until we get back to normal?” Maybe you feel the same way!
Of course we would want to go back to what ‘normal’ life was. You know, eight months ago, a time when we didn’t have to wear a mask before going out grocery shopping, or a time before hugs and handshakes were socially banned; before our economy took a huge hit, jobs were lost, and businesses closed. I understand, I wish we could go back to that ‘before’ time too. But, the reality is, we can’t and, because the world is constantly evolving and changing, we will never go back to exactly what we had before . . . despite what we all wish.
Have you noticed that it’s the natural tendency of the human race to run from suffering? To wish it away and to prefer ease, comfort and control as opposed to difficulty, discomfort, and disorder. I get it, I’m right there with you. If I had to choose an ideal way to spend a Friday night, it’s going to include watching a movie and spending time with a friend rather than sawing my arm off or watching my house light on fire! It is one hundred percent part of human nature to not want to suffer. But, unfortunately, because of the sinful state of the world we live in, suffering is a part of life. No matter how hard we try, we will never be able to out avoid or out run it. If that’s the case, then what do we do with it?
A read a devotion a few weeks ago where the writer had a similar thought. They said: “Have you ever noticed how in times of pain or trial, we comfort our friends, loved ones, and even ourselves with words like: ‘You’re going to make it through this.’ ‘Tomorrow will be better.’ ‘What can I do to ease your pain?’ Our endgame is an end to suffering. We pray for the bad times to go away . . . [and for the] Lord to remove our thorns, to help us endure our hardships, and to bring us through suffering as unscathed as possible.” With this in mind, I have been wondering why we would be quick to wish this year, and all of it’s hardship away. After all, this is what life is right now and it could be what life is like forever – we have no idea! If we are constantly wishing this time away rather than investing, engaging and showing up each day for our life (no matter what’s going on), we will completely miss out on everything that God has for us. Scripture tells us to not only be grateful always but to be full of joy in the midst of hard times.
“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing if your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing . . . Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when He has stood the test He will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”
James 1:2-4, 12
If life was always smooth sailing there would be no room for growth. Adversity leads to refinement. If you’re holding a jagged rock and want it to become a smooth stone, you will chip away at it to smooth it out . . . you wouldn’t just let it sit there and hope that it would just become smooth! This, my friends, is the process of sanctification. Trials, challenges and hardships play a pretty big role in this life-long, character refining, soul shaping process . . . but, only if we let them. I believe that every difficult situation we face affords two options . . . the first option is to lean into Jesus, the second is to run away from Him. I mean, I have gone through different difficulties in my life where I have chosen both the first and the second option. After choosing to run from God and lean on myself a few too many times during trials, I have seen how much better things are during hardship when I decide to take the ‘trust God’ route.
In the midst of difficulty, if we choose to lean on Jesus and do things God’s way, that means that we will also have to choose joy. Amid a difficult year where the default desire is to succumb to negativity and to daily wish away the hard things, what true reminders should we set before us so that we can embrace the God attitude and have joy in the midst of trial?
- Remember that every day is a gift from God.
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring – what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.’ Instead, you should say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'”
James 4:13-15
We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Heck, we don’t even know what the rest of today will bring! For those of you who know me, you know that I plan all of the time; schedules, lists, and Excel spreadsheets are my jam. But, over the years, I have learned to hold all the preparations and plans loosely. Everything from big plans (remember when I went to University to become a teacher?) to small plans (did I ever tell you about that time when the bus didn’t work for the first young adults retreat I ever led and so we got there four hours late and had to throw my whole schedule out the window?). Hold your plans loosely and, no matter if things are going your planned way or not, trust God and be grateful for the many gifts in front of you . . . because He is good and He gives you good gifts each day. Do you see them?
If we waste away our time wishing for the easier, more ‘back to normal’ life, we are going to miss the good, right now gifts. Don’t miss them!
2. Remember that you can do hard things.
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13
Life was never meant to be easy! As Christians, there will be trials that we will specifically face because of our faith and because of sin, this world is a difficult place to be in. But, as we lean into Jesus to be our strength, and believe that He will come through for us (because God always follows through with His promises), then we can get through these hard things! And not only ‘get through’ them, but thrive in the midst of them. So, don’t be quick to give up and to default to doing things the way of the world. Because of Jesus, YOU can do hard things. And not just ‘do’ them, but, as scripture says, be joyful in the midst of them.
3. Remember that this is world is not your home.
“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.”
Hebrews 11:13
This world is not our home. I know that. But for some reason I often don’t live like that (so maybe I forget it too easily?). I still care too much about what I wear in the morning or that my house is clean and trendy. It’s fine to care about these things. But when I care too much, it’s a reminder that I think I am a permanent resident here. Live life remembering that everything here (including disease and hardships!) is temporary. Remember that your home is with Christ in Heaven. This mindset can give us a renewed sense of encouragement and purpose. The struggle here on earth is real, but it’s not going to be eternal and it should not be our focus!
Instead of wishing away the hardship of this year by crossing off the calendar days hoping to fast track to January 2021, let’s find joy where we are at. Let’s change our mindset and remember that every day is a gift, that we can do hard things and that this world is not our permanent residency. Still having trouble? That’s okay! Being joyful in the midst of hardship is not easy – if it where, it wouldn’t be so easy to complain and everyone would be doing it! All we can do is trust in God, choose joy and take it day, by day.
“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24
Written by: Justine Joy
Refined Joy 