Considering Joy in the Setbacks

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV

Spring…

Here in the heartland of America, the start of spring reminds me of runners trying to run a race riddled with false starts. The starting gun fires “BOOM”, and off the blocks the season lunges forth with its budding trees, blooming flowers, greening grass, and sales on gardening supplies. Then whoa, “BOOM BOOM”, a false start signal fires and everything comes to an abrupt halt.

Temperatures plummet back to freezing, winds howl, and snowstorms strike. A beautiful sunny day quickly changes into an ominous one with threats of tornadoes, hard rain, hail, or flooding. It’s as if Mother Nature chuckles and says, “Oh dear, you thought were in the clear?! You were making plans? You thought the bad weather was behind you? Ha! Back to the starting line you go!” Although this back and forth weather is a familiar happening in the Midwest, it still frustrates and disheartens the region’s good-natured residents year after year.

The turbulent spring weather has led me to think about trials in my life…in all of our lives. Difficulties can come with relationships, health conditions, careers, addictions, a growing faith, and many other areas of uncertainty. Often, it seems, after we take a few strides into a new and better season of life, we experience our own series of false starts.

Setbacks…

If you’re like me, when a setback happens, you habitually look for reasons why the momentum stopped. I try to figure out how the good could have continued uninterrupted. Sometimes this is a worthwhile exercise, and other times it is futile. Like the weather, there are some things I cannot change. I try to accept this without disappointment, but I think I need quite a bit more practice. How do we greet our setbacks with less frustration and more acceptance? Is it possible to view them as an opportunity for joy?

Lately, this Scripture has helped me explore how God can help us change our outlook on a season of setbacks:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV

Considering Joy in Trials

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, consider means to think about carefully, to regard or treat in an attentive or kindly way, or to gaze on steadily or reflectively. In this Scripture, I tend to skim over the word consider when I read it. Maybe because I see the word joy up ahead and I am in a hurry for the good stuff? But, consider tells us to slow down and think carefully about our situation. By allowing ourselves time for reflection and careful evaluation, we give ourselves an opportunity to uncover joy in difficult circumstances.

Of course, trials bring suffering, and certainly we do not want to seek that out. But, when we find ourselves in a difficult place, if we can gradually shift our focus away from our pain towards the possibilities to use it for good, it does change us for the better. For example, a hardship may lead us to mend a broken relationship, discover a new passion or talent, fight for a cause, make a friend, help others in need, change the way we live, or learn something about ourselves. Difficulties by themselves do not make us happy, but growing from them, making a difference through them, bettering ourselves somehow does bring us an opportunity for deep-seated joy and satisfaction.

Considering Joy in Perseverance

because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

I know Jesus told me to expect trouble in this life, but it still comes as an unwanted surprise. I want to shout, “It’s not fair!” You too? Why does God keep allowing this bad stuff to happen? Truth be told, when my life was easier to enjoy, I did not search very hard for God. But, when the going got tough, I started pounding on his door.

By allowing trials to enter our lives, God prods us to learn more about him, and he refines our character to represent his own. He models his character for us through the life of his son Jesus, who demonstrated what ultimate perseverance looks like through his ministry, persecution, and death. Although it is unlikely that our lives will require the same level of perseverance Jesus displayed, God does intend for tests of faith to strengthen us spiritually in a similar way.

If we grow in the knowledge of God as we persevere, then Scripture tells us he gives us more grace and peace (2 Peter 1:2). Grace and peace are certainly needed in order to find joy during a setback. We can also rely on God’s promises to work all things together to achieve his good purposes, even if we do not see results in our earthly lifetimes (Romans 8:28, Isaiah 55:8-9). Trusting in his plans and answers to our prayers helps us be more open to finding joy within our trouble.

When we place our belief and trust in God, the Holy Spirit goes to work changing us from the inside out. Day by day, he brings forth more joy through Christ’s likeness within us and he shows us how to share it with others. Perseverance, in itself, is an opportunity for joy because it can draw us closer to God, strengthen our faith, and change our character for the better.

Considering Joy in a Mature and Complete Relationship with God

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Much like the season of spring, our budding faith is a process. God uses the struggles of life and of faith to help us grow into the person he intends us to be. When we meet a setback, he can use it in a variety of ways to mature a relationship with him. For example, he might enlighten us on how find healing, empower us to do something we didn’t know we could do, or bring us closer to the plans he has for our lives.

With each setback, God can make us aware of what he is doing within and around us. He beckons us to come closer and pay attention. When we are keen to listen and hear from him, we gradually become more sensitive to his teaching and alert to his wisdom. Asking God to come into our struggles allows him to work on bringing about the good plans he has for us. Being present in God’s presence as we persevere deepens our understanding of why we are here, who God is, and what he wants us to know–it builds a mature, complete, trusting relationship overflowing with joy.

Seeing Setbacks through Eyes of Faith

Considering joy in our setbacks does not come easily or naturally. Emotions can be a roller coaster as we try to cope with day to day life. Busyness and problems consume and distract us from reflecting on any meaning we might find in our circumstances. And, at times God can seem distant and uncaring. In spite of all life’s obstacles, the only way we can consider joy in our circumstances is to deliberately clear some space and invite God in.

God is sometimes silent for a long time which can be aggravating, especially when we want answers. But, God gives us examples to remind us he works even as we wait. Examples are found in the Bible stories about Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, Jesus, Paul, and many others. And, examples are seen in the lives of people around us. As we wait, we can develop our muscles of persistence, grant ourselves time for self-reflection, and become more aware of the ways God has loved us through previous trials.

Seeing setbacks through the eyes of faith brings reassurances that our future is not undetermined or scary. God is aware of our current circumstances and everything that is on the horizon. He has promised to carry us safely through it all (Isaiah 46:4). He will not abandon us in any of our setbacks, on any of our days. His son died to assure we could experience joy, not only in the afterlife, but also in the here and now.

Consider joy. Press on in faith, my friends! ~Jamie

Some Poetry:

Water
by Jamie Trunnel ©2017, ascripturedlife.com

When the water falls from the sky,
It washes away grime,
Dirt in life, 
And guilt that lies.

Water brings promise of spring,
Greening grass, 
Budding leaves,
Blooming flowers,
Among other things.

Wet days escort questions,
Book heaps,
Hushed whispers,
Hot drinks,
Pithy impressions,
Deeper reflections. 

I’ll take the water the rain delivers.
It helps me remember
The world is bigger.

Find this poem and photo in my book Simple Wishes. More about my books here: Visit My Bookshop.

Stay in Touch:

I hope you will stay in touch — Sign up to receive A Scriptured Life in your email. You’ll receive a list I put together of 20 Scriptures to Tuck Away for Difficult Days right after you sign up!

Some Related Posts:
The Serenity Prayer: a Road Map for Peace
Giving Thanks in All Circumstances
Designed for Prayer: the pause of a praying mantis
While We Wait on God…
Psalm 23: A Shepherd’s Meanings and Motivations

Inspiring Resources:
How Can I Find Joy in the Midst of Trials–gotquestions.com
Building Endurance for the Trials of Life–crosswalk.com
Glimpses of Joy–crosswalk.com

If you enjoyed this post, someone else might too. Please share!