Allison Janae Blog

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4, NLT)

The best thing ever happened to me recently: I got ENGAGED!! (What?!?) It is the most intense joy I have ever felt. I just said YES to starting a wild journey with the love of my life! Joy doesn’t even begin to describe the emotions I feel. It is the joy of anticipation, the joy of beginning the next season, and the joy of the adventures to come.

Yet sometimes, painful disappointment comes with intense joy, and such was my case. Only a few days after the beautiful moment, I got my new ring caught on something, and a setting was bent so that one of the accent stones came out. I was horrified. That horrible, icky feeling of dread twisted in my stomach. I had felt like my new ring was indestructible and perfect, and now it needed repair? It didn’t seem possible.

Such a moment certainly brought confusion to my soul. I was mad: mad at myself for the accident, mad at God for allowing something like that to happen, mad that I live in a world where the most beautiful things can be shattered.

After working out my emotions and questions with God, I realized that I was focusing my joy on an object. The joy of marriage being on the near horizon is not dependent on whether I have a diamond ring to wear on my finger; neither does my joy in Christ depend on my circumstances being always good and pleasant. 

The above passage in James tells me to intentionally (that is, with conscious effort) count suffering JOY. To find hope, gratitude, and God’s provision in moments of sorrow, pain, and disappointment. With my ring broken and my heart floundering,  I realized that I was not dwelling in a state of joy that relied on Christ. My hope was instead anchored in the flimsy treasures of this world.

Gold won’t last forever. Valuables in this world can be lost, stolen, and broken. It is when I put my hope and joy in Christ that my joy can be eternal.  Putting my hope in Christ is a choice I have to make at every moment.

Now, my moment of trial did not instantly turn around to become joyous. I had to take some time to grieve, be frustrated, and express my emotions to God. Yet after I did this, I was able to see the fickleness of my source of joy, and that God was producing endurance in me through the trial. 

Through this situation, God has shown a side to His sovereignty that I often forget: that even when things don’t go my way, He knows what is going to happen. He knew before I was born, before my parents were born, before the U.S. became a nation, before Rome fell… before He even created the earth, He knew this would happen. He is in control. In all moments, in all seasons. 

In John 16, Jesus’ disciples were deeply concerned that He was about to leave them. Their Savior, not sticking around to help them continue to spread His Word? I can imagine the devastated bewilderment they must have felt. Jesus speaks to them in verse 22, “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” (John 16:22, ESV) He promises them a joy that cannot be taken, cannot be robbed. Jesus was speaking of the joy we will experience in eternity, but the joy He promised for that future is also available to us now. 

In John 15, just a chapter before He tells the disciples about His earth-departure, Jesus says to abide in Him. The simplest way I can understand abiding is dwelling in Christ; to rest in His power, love, and provision. Jesus tells us that when we rest all of our hope in His loving sovereignty and pursue union with Him, His joy will be ours.

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)

Friends, I know you have all experienced moments of disappointment and deep grief. I ask that you take some time to slow down with Jesus today. Dwell with Him and in that space, look for the joy that He has prepared for you (whether something you are experiencing now or something from the past). You might be surprised what hidden jewels await you in the suffering.

“So let [your faith] grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:4)