Restoring Joy
Good Morning,
We have all faced difficulties; some have faced more extreme difficulties than others, but all of us have our own share of heartache. The question we face is what to do with the trials and the emotions those difficulties bring. We ask ourselves, “Shall I walk through life depressed and gloomy forever? Will I never find a reason to smile again? Will I never have a night of peaceful sleep or wake with hope in my heart again?” Those thoughts hardly fit with Christ and "life more abundantly,” yet these feelings are real and need to be addressed.
The world will offer drugs with undesirable side effects. Some medications are being prescribed and used that rob a person of emotion, care, and concern for others. These drugs take away one's tenderness, leaving him caring not for friend or family. Each of us has to make our own decision on situations like this, but those medicines are not for me — that is for sure. I want to care. I want compassion, tenderness, excitement, and warmth. Some people will say it is our lot to be victims and forever wallow in grief and sorrow, but no Bible reader can accept that.
Motivation to regain joy:
1. Obedience to God is difficult but also real and honest. The Bible tells us to rejoice.
Philippians 3:1 “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…"
Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
Remember, these instructions are from God, but they were written by Paul while he sat in a jail cell.
2. Our children will be helped.
Zechariah 10:7 “And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.”
When our children see us defeated by our own battles, they lose hope when they face their own battles. I feel I must slowly and most surely gain victory so my children will see that in their evil day, God is real and hope is available. The process may be slow, but my response to trouble will determine much of what my children are able to do. I cannot fail in this challenge; for my victory will bring hope to those I love most.
3. My ability to help others is tied to my ability to gain help from God for my trials.
2 Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;”
vs. 4 “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
When I find comfort for my suffering, I then possess that comfort; comfort is real and tangible like bananas from the store. Only then, am I able to share comfort with others. Once I gain comfort, God has equipped me with a tool to help others, and my suffering becomes a conduit of healing for others who hurt. How wonderful to be able to help a hurting soul. How fulfilling is life when we can pillow our head knowing someone found hope through our life and influence! If Satan can keep us wallowing in defeat, we not only become ruined, but he also stops the flow of healing waters to others through our lives. God uses people! We are divine rivers which carry healing and refreshment to the thirsty and suffering, but we must begin by gaining the comfort of Heaven.
I cannot influence anyone for good through my gloom and depression.
The method to regain joy:
1. Start with reading the book of Psalms daily. Starting with the day of the month, I read a chapter, then add thirty and read another chapter. This will equal to five or six chapters a day: on the tenth of the month, I read chapter ten, forty, seventy, one hundred, and one hundred thirty. The next day, I read chapter eleven, forty-one, seventy-one, and so on. Of course, you can simply read the Psalms, but there seems to be a kind of continuity in the said divisions as you will see if you try it.
The Bible is the source of joy and peace.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
2. Find a concordance and study the words joy, peace, rest, trust, hope and other words that the Lord shows you. Read and reread them. Write notes about what they say; develop principles from your reading and write them down.
3. The next and harder step is to confess my unbelief, my worry, my lack of trust, my fears, and my lack of ability to thank God and rejoice in Him. “When sorrow like sea billows” overwhelm us, this becomes more difficult to do, but none the less, right; for God commands us to trust, to rejoice, and to have faith. We confess these anxieties just as we would confess drunkenness or hatred. The sick feeling in our stomachs during battles tells the Lord that we do not believe He is good and faithful. We know these feelings are wrong, so all must be confessed.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart” and “Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you” are commands. God also commands: “in everything give thanks,” and “giving thanks for all things…” To say the least, these commands can be difficult, but when someone has a drug problem, we urge him to seek the Lord and His help and to fight to gain the victory. Is the situation any different for those of us who have suffered and bear pain?
4. Remember, we are in a spiritual battle.
Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
We are at war with the spiritual forces of darkness, and we need spiritual power and help to gain victory every day. An unsaved counselor will have a difficult time helping us with spiritual battles. We need the Bible and spiritual help. You may be sure, victory will be a DAILY feat. You will not wake up victorious and never have another difficult day, but you will gain strength for the hour, then strength for the day, and little by little, you will begin to find hope, rest, and strength.
5. Search for others who have found victory. In college, we were instructed to read biographies of famous men and ladies but not their doctrines. We can learn much from many great men and ladies, even though they are not all doctrinally sound; their lives can be a blessing, but be careful that their doctrines do not confuse and hinder you. With that being said, I mention Dave Roever. His testimony is easily found online, and although his handicap has never left him, his story of victory has helped millions. His story and presentation will hold you spellbound. From early Baptist martyrs to people who are alive today, victory over trials brings hope to others; and when we need help, God will often use the suffering of others to help us.
The Master helps us to regain joy.
We should acknowledge that we need God to help us regain joy. David prayed, ”Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.” We need the Lord to help us.
The passage above tells us it is God Who comforts us.
2 Corinthians 1:4 “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation…”
Seek God and ask Him to work in your life. Ask God to help you and to restore your joy that you might be useful to help others.
Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
May our sorrow lead us to Divine comfort, and may the Heavenly Comforter use us to comfort others who hurt. If you find victory, you just might be the one to begin a ministry to the hurting; but you must first find the answer in Christ and His Word.
Pastor