Name Tags: You are… Joyful

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…

James 1:2 (NKJV)

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)

Rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.

1 Peter 4:13 (ESV)

To love when it's easy isn’t special. God says even bad men can love like that.* 

To show joy when it's easy means little. Anyone can relish in life's pleasures.

God calls us to rejoice in suffering, and I confess, I haven't mastered it. I’m still in grade school, and progress seems slow.

Why?

Old habits, like burrs, are hard to cast off. They needle into sensitive places.

But the closer we stay behind Jesus, the more we read the Word and ponder Him, the more we seek God in heartfelt prayer… He pulls our “stickers” out and heals us. He transforms our ashes into beauty.

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

How can we act joyful while suffering?

  • Like when we’re dealing with physical pain?

  • A financial or personal crisis?

  • The loss of a loved one, a job, a home?

The answer lies in the little word, “act”– because cheerfulness isn’t logical… and joy isn’t a natural response. IT’S A DECISION!

When we “put on” joy, despite how we feel (with kind faces and gracious behavior)... MIRACULOUSLY, the Lord does the rest. He brings about divine transformations.

As rainbows break through a dark, cloudy sky, He brightens our hearts to reflect His Sun. This God-powered joy DOES become our strength!

‘Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice’ (Philippians 4:4)

Name Tags: You Are… Joyful (Part 56)

* 'If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them' (Luke 6:32).

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban