Joy is Paradoxical

Joy Is Paradoxical

"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4

Someone once said, "Believers are weird." We are. We are a peculiar people -- God said so! Part of our uniqueness is that our lives are full of paradoxes that just don't make sense to the regular Joe.

Joy is one of those paradox's. Think about it ... despite the trials and testings we find ourselves facing, Christians have joy! Does that make logical sense? Not to someone who doesn't know the Lord.

How does someone in the midst of some of the most severe trials proclaim, "The joy of the Lord is my strength?" Have does someone stand at the graveside of a family member or friend and declare, "Despite the loss, it gives me great joy to know _____________ is at home with the Lord!"

How is it that despite the crazy times we are living in, we can declare -- "Consider it all joy ..." Christians arene't the weird ones (well ... ). The world just can't figure it out -- but apart from being IN CHRIST, you can't have joy in the midst of pain and suffering.

I don't know what you are facing, but my guess is that if you are really honest, you have experienced His peace, His comfort, and His joy. Revel in that joy today no matter what you are facing. Somehow He is going to use this for HIS glory and your good. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 4; Ruth 1-4; Luke 8:1-25

Great Quote: “We must remember that God will never drag us along the path of true-hearted discipleship. This would greatly lack the moral excellency which characterizes all the ways of God. He does not drag, but draws us along the path which leads to ineffable blessedness in Himself; and if we do see that it is for our real advantage to break through all the barriers of nature, in order to respond to Gods’ call, we forsake our own mercies. But alas! our hearts little enter into this. We begin to calculate about the sacrifices, the hindrances, and the difficulties, instead of bounding along the path, in eagerness of soul, as knowing and loving the One whose call has sounded in our ears”. C H Macintosh