Finding Joy in Every Situation

Thanks to Dr. Kriegel for inspiring today’s topic which relates to how we as Christians manage stress.

Today’s scripture is from James 1:2-4:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James is telling us to lean in to difficulties instead of running from them and to try to find the positive value in every situation no matter how stressful.  Here are two examples:

• You have a co-worker who creates lots of drama and stress in the office.

Worldly view: I really don’t like being around this person.  I am going to look down on them and gossip about them.

Christian view: I can’t control their behavior but I can control how I treat them and how I respond to others in the office who gossip about them.  This is helping me practice patience and kindness.

• Your child causes a very bad auto accident, injuring the other driver who initiates civil legal proceedings.

Worldly view: What are we going to do?  We can lose everything!  I can’t sleep because I’m frightened of the uncertainty that the future holds.

Christian view: This is a good reminder that I’m not in control.  I’m grateful for the humility that this situation has created.  Instead of living in fear, I’m going to continue to try to see where God is moving in this situation.

For any given stressful situation at home, work, or in the community, we can utilize this practice.    While we cannot always control our circumstances, our response is completely within our control and it is always possible to find ways that God is moving in our lives.

Here are a few questions related to today’s topic:

• What is causing the most stress in your life?
• From a Christian perspective, why is so important to put stress and trials in the proper perspective like James did?
• Can you think of a situation in your past that was stressful at the time but that you now realize has been very helpful to you in some way?
• Are there situations in your life that are stressful now but that may help you in the future?
• When you leave here today, what is something you can do to be like James and find joy in the trials in your life?