Joy in times of stress

Life is stressful. Life is infamous for suffering, hardships and trials. However, as followers of Christ we are told to rejoice in these sufferings. We are told to consider it "pure joy" when we face trials of various kinds (James 1:2). How could this be? How are we to rejoice in the loss of a close family member or the loss of a friend? How are we to glory in the injustice of crooked politicians, crooked professors and crooked people? Surely the apostle Paul doesn't have our trials and our difficulties in mind when he exhorts us to "rejoice always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Of course this argument falls apart when you take into account the life of Paul. We find Paul's suffering résumé in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. He writes,

"I am talking like a madman-with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked...in danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city...in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches"

For the sake of clarity, let us recap. Paul has experienced physical pain (vv 24-25), emotional pain (v 26), the pain of betrayal (v 24) and the pain of anxiety (v 28). This is the résumé of the man who has told us to "rejoice always". Could it be that he has learned the secret to possessing unwavering joy? Philippians 4 would assume so.

"In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:12-13) 

This verse was never meant to be plucked out of context and plastered onto the back of church league baseball jerseys promoting some sort of underdog mentality. The immediate context suggests that Paul's realization occurs in the midst of suffering. However, it is in the midst of this pain that God will usher in a deeper understanding of the sufficiency of Christ. Joy will flee from us until we realize that Jesus Christ is our treasure. I pray that you would be satisfied in Christ alone as the source of your strength and your joy.

He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it.