Circumstantial Joy

Greetings Fire Family!  Lately I’ve been noticing in my life the instances where I’m displaying Circumstantial Joy.  When things are up- I’m up- I’m happy, joking, laughing, encouraging, just having an all-around great time.  But when things are not going my way- I’m not keeping that same joy- I’m upset, I’m irritable, my patience is short, bitter, instead of appreciating- I’m depreciating- No denying I’m not the same person.  I have been feeling so convicted when I find myself not responding to these situations the way I should be.  This is a broken planet with sin all around us- so that sin is going to affect me as well.  We should not be surprised when the sin of this Earth affects us and our lives. 

So when we are going through a painful season in our lives we need to still choose Joy and not Bitterness.  We need to turn to God and not try to handle it by ourselves.  Pain is inevitable, it’s a part of life- even for a Christian.  So are we going to waste our hurt or use our hurt? 

The Bible verse I want us to look at is 1 Peter 4:12-13 it says:

Suffering for Being a Christian

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

To put into context Peter is writing this letter to Christians who are literally going through “fiery trials”.  This is when Christians were under the persecution of the Roman Emperor Nero- he was lighting them on fire and placing them on stakes to light up Rome.  True suffering.  And Peter is telling us to Rejoice in these trials?  Suffering can have Meaning and Purpose- but it’s our choice.  We can feel sorry for ourselves- as if this is surprising that something bad is happening- or we can share in this suffering with Jesus and respond like him.  Don’t waste a hurt!  This is our true testimony as Christians.  The world doesn’t take notice when we’re happy and cheerful, when things are great, but the world is always watching how we respond to hard, painful situations in our lives.  That’s how you truly get someone’s attention- when you respond with Love to the people (or situations) who are persecuting you. 

When Jesus was being nailed on the cross- in the midst of being beaten, tortured and mocked, he said, “Forgive them Father, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34.  We can always look to Jesus for our example on how to act for our hard situations.  And when we respond like Christ- that will be our true testimony and that’s when the world will take notice.  Peter then says in 1 Peter 4:19, “19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”  Give the situation to God- He wants you to do this to build your Faith in him!  So you can experience that true Joy in trials.  Jesus later said on the cross, “Father- I entrust my Spirit into your hands.” Luke 23:46.  Trust God that he will give you the courage, strength and patience to handle the situation like Christ.

So in closing- when you are going through trials and suffering no matter how big or small- there’s Do’s and Don’ts.  Don’t be surprised, Don’t go through it alone and Don’t make it Meaningless.  But Do have the same Mindset of Christ, Do let it show true Obedience and Lordship, Do see ourselves as Managers, not Owners.

 Remember to ask yourself- Is it my Life to be protected or His Glory to be proclaimed?

Thank you for reading!  In His name-

Shawn Stacy