Rejoicing in Negative Circumstances

I used to think that if I rejoiced in my negative circumstances that I would not be honest with my true feelings. I did not want to pretend to feel the opposite of how I really felt. Yet, Paul admonishes us to rejoice in our tribulation (Romans 5:3). I could not figure out how to express joy without pretending an emotion, which I did not truly feel.

It took a major trial in my life to teach me the key to rejoicing always (Philippians 4:4). After 22 years, the love of my life decided that he could no longer live with my Italian emotionalism. A wall of constant misunderstandings stood between us, so he determined that there was no option for us but divorce. To say that I was shocked is an understatement; yet, I did not want to live where I was not loved.

In the ensuing years, God taught me to be thankful even for these overwhelming negative circumstances, to rejoice in His hope, to have faith in His faithfulness, to be patient through every ordeal and to pray without ceasing (Romans 12:12). He instructed me to focus on the moment, rather than feeling depressed over the past and fearing the future.

I discovered that God is the only true anchor of my soul, and I would always dwell in the inner sanctuary of His Temple, regardless of my marital status and the earthly success of my life (Hebrews 6:19). I experienced the truth that nothing could ever snatch me out of God's hand, and that I would always enjoy total security in His love (John 10:29). Now, those are real reasons to rejoice forevermore (1 Thessalonians 5:16-28).

Since then, I started looking at every trial as a seed for a miracle, which is just waiting to sprout. I know that there are situations more devastating than the loss of a mate; but I am convinced that Jesus, the Lover of my soul who saw me through that time in my life, will enable me to honestly rejoice through any future negative circumstance, large or small (Matthew 11:28; Psalm 23).

Prayer:

Father God, You have a divine purpose for everything that happens to Your children. Thank You for teaching me to trust You regardless of how negatively my circumstances develop. You filled me with Your presence through every moment of that nightmare, and You guided me by Your Spirit in all of my ways (Romans 8:14). Although I still grieve over the dissolution of my family unit, You restored my ministry as a pastor's wife and You gave me a new husband who gives me more love than I ever imagined was possible on this side of heaven.

Thought for the Day:

There is no negative circumstance in our life that God is not orchestrating for our good. - Romans 8:28

Lessons from Paul's Life

 

 

The Apostle Paul is a great example to us of what a forgiving person acts like when persecuted. He was arrested multiple times, five different times the Jewish leaders gave him thirty-nine lashes, three times he was beaten with rods, once he was stoned and left for dead, three times he was shipwrecked, once he spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.

He was constantly on the move to preach the gospel and to escape persecution. Paul was in danger from rivers, from bandits, from his own countrymen and from many Gentiles. He was in danger in the city, in the country, at sea and in danger from false brothers. He was hungry and thirsty and often went without any food at all. He shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep him warm.

Paul worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. Then, besides all of this, he had the daily burden of his concern for all of the churches, which he planted (2 Corinthians 11: 24-28). Yet in spite of these horrendous issues, he forgave his persecutors and he trusted God to give him everything he really needed. In fact, Paul was in Rome awaiting trial, under house arrest and chained to a Roman soldier when he wrote to us to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4).

He exhorted us from his deprivation to rejoice always. Regardless of our circumstances, if we live in America, we have more than enough motivation in our life to rejoice. Ultimately, Paul viewed life from God’s eternal perspective, which shed a whole new light on his situation. Paul explains to us how to have a fulfilled life in Christ.

He reminds us that the Lord is near, and our gentleness should be evident to everyone. He tells us that the way to do this is not to be anxious about anything. In fact, he advises us to present your requests to God in thankful prayer. He promises that if we do this, then God’s peace, which exceeds our human understanding, will protect our heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:5-7).

Prayer:

Father God, the reason we find it hard to rejoice in our circumstances like Paul did is that we do not have the eternal perspective of life, which he maintained. We keep our focus on the earthly, carnal, material aspects of our life rather than on the spiritual, eternal ones. We do not have to wait until heaven to enjoy an intimate, personal relationship with You. You are with us now and even until the end of this age (Matthew 28:20).

Thought for the Day:

We can make the choice right now to fully surrender our will to God’s, and to live with a completely spiritual commitment, focus and lifestyle.