Jesus’ Remedy for Joy on the Tough Days

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Jesus’ Remedy for Joy on the Tough Days

In John 15:11, Jesus told His followers, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” Jesus desired to prepare His followers for the distresses and suffering they would soon experience, yet preparation wasn’t His goal—joy was.

Jesus teaches us that we can live joyfully in the midst of trial, uncertainty, sorrow, even persecution, if we think rightly. If we aren’t careful to monitor our thoughts or fill our minds with the truths of Scripture, we will not find the joy that Jesus desires us to have.

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The Means God Uses to Instill Hope

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The Means God Uses to Instill Hope

The end result of tribulations is hope—emphasis on end result. Often, when we’re gasping for air, trying to wrestle down hope to gain some relief, we create a short bridge in our minds from verse 3 “we exult in our tribulations” to verse 5 and the “hope that doesn’t disappoint.” I think it’s safe to say most in-the-midst-of-trials people are “hope challenged.” It’s why we so quickly make the jump in our minds from “tribulations” to “hope that doesn’t disappoint.” There’s just one problem. We miss the means God uses to grant us that non-disappointing hope.

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Advent Meditations: Tidings of Great Joy for You

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Advent Meditations: Tidings of Great Joy for You

You might be struggling for joy because of trying circumstances and great sorrows, yet joy is possible. Good news leads to great joy when we remember the hope and exhilaration that forgiveness of all our sins, fellowship with the Eternal God, and the hope of heaven can bring. Joy isn’t out of reach. Joy just needs to be uncovered so it can be recovered. 

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