Finding joy in life isn’t always easy

#8212; James 1:2 (NIV)

While we#146;re trying to make our lives happen, things seem to get in the way.

Some are big things; others are usual problems of life that go from mole hills to mountains when we let them get under our skin.

Medical problems, job losses, relationship issues and family quarrels are some of the things that threaten our dreams and rock our stability. My friend always says we must be joy finders in life; especially when the trials of life tend to threaten our joy.

A quote from Alfred d#146; Sousa says, #147;For a long time, it had seemed to me that life was about to begin, real life, but there was always an obstacle in the way, something to be gotten over first. Unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid, then life will begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.#148;

This revelation can shine some light on life for us all. How many times have we said, when the kids move out, when I get out of debt, when I build a new addition, or get a new job life will be better. Although these things may be true to some extent, we have to learn how to be stable in difficult times and not allow the joys in life to pass us by.

Jesus told us in Matthew 16:33, #147;In the world you have tribulation #133; be of good cheer #133; I have overcome the world.#148;

Jesus gave us joy, a fruit of the Spirit, as one of the stabilizers to help us overcome the problems of the world. God knew we would face the opposition of evil in this world and gave us means to cope. Joy brings stability to our souls in times of difficulty.

Finding the joy isn#146;t always easy, sometimes we look in the wrong places. Simple joy is found in giving, in prayer, in believing for something better, looking for a bright spot in each day and pondering it rather than our problems.

Remembering that God gave us a way to bridge the gap between him and our sin by believing in Jesus Christ, should bring joy in the midst of many of life#146;s daily dilemmas.

The apostle James instructed us to consider the trials of life pure joy. The early Christians suffered many hardships in life and could have had a different outlook, but they were joy finders.

As joy finders, strengthened in the Lord, we can handle anything that comes our way and discover the joy of living.

Ÿ Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at Annetteebudzban@aol.com