ReJOYce In Troubles

James 1:2 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

Consider your complete list of troubles as a reason to have joy or to be joyful.

How is this even possible?

Without Jesus it is impossible.

John 16:33 NLT

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Why would we do this?

Acts 16:25–34 NLT

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

Why would we even consider doing this?

1. When we have joy in troubles we know we have given to Jesus everything.

Paul and Silas were in prison but instead of thinking about themselves they were thinking about Jesus

2. Those around us have the opportunity to experience Jesus.

The whole house heard the Gospel

3. Our faith grows in troubles. It is set deeper in us.

James 1:3–4 NLT

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.

If you look around the US the more the church prospers financially the less it grows.

When you look at the fastest growing church in the world it is in Iran where their Christian Faith is illegal.

China is the same way.

I hear people say that they are blessed and highly favored of the Lord. I agree. I am blessed and highly favored of the Lord but that does not mean that I will never go through problems.

That does not mean I am going to be a mega millionaire.

But those things do not matter.

If at the end of our life we are living in a 1 room shack and our children are on FIRE for the Lord and serving Him I will be full of joy.

The things of this world will pass away but God and His word will never pass away.

True Joy comes in surrendering and serving the Lord. Giving all we have to Him and for Him.

A few years ago I was at a prayer event and a young lady came up to be prayed for. We had just recently met her when she visited Unlimited. When she came to me for prayer I asked her what she needed prayer for and she said she wanted to come back to Jesus and give her life to Him.

The joy inside of me was so great that I had tears.

No matter how tired I get I just want to have the Joy of the Lord in me so that others can have that same everlasting joy.

Nothing can satisfy it.

Not drugs, sex, money, possessions, entertainment, or anything else you can name.

You can have that joy in troubles and you can give that Joy to others.