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Written by Jodie Maczek
Recently I met a young lady who inspired me to think more deeply about how I approach trials—and joy.
Last month I interviewed a young lady for a position in the company I work for. When I received her resume, the skills she offered seemed to fit our requirements. A couple of days prior to the interview, she emailed me confirming the interview date and explaining that she felt she should also let me know that she was confined to a wheelchair.
When she arrived at the office, it seemed evident that the confinement to a wheelchair was not her only limitation. Her hands appeared to be rather crippled as well. Now, the position I was employing for required a lot of typing, and I had a concern at what I was seeing. Nevertheless I progressed with the interview.
That young lady who sat in my office was bright, confident and obviously well-educated. You see, as a young child an aneurysm had burst in her brain, affecting only her motor skills. Her ability to learn and function weren’t affected. She had developed the ability to type very well with the one good hand she had. The examples of her work confirmed there were no limitations with that.
As she talked to me about her skills and experiences, a beautiful, joyful person emerged, and I was really able to gain a glimpse into her life.
As I sat listening to her, I could not help but be reminded of how we as Christians must move forward in a positive way, no matter the “barriers” that may enter our lives. Despite her confinement, she expected me to treat her no differently than any other employee. Her determination and focus on working and giving her very best were inspiring.
Looking to God’s encouragement
In this ever-changing world, the battles we must sometimes fight can seem just all too great to cope with. Why do we think like this at times? Is it because we sometimes take our eyes off our Heavenly Father? God has given us the ability to cope, but as humans, we tend to forget about that at times, especially when things are just not what we want them to be like in our lives.
Now there is no need to read this and become discouraged. There is encouragement everywhere in the Bible. Just think, God promises to send us help and comfort (John 14:16; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4). He promises protection when we are in danger (Psalm 32:7). He promises eternal life! This physical life is not easy, but we can ease our burdens by calling out to our Father to help us.
How encouraging to read Paul’s words of praise for the churches in Macedonia: “That in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality” (2 Corinthians 8:2).
Even with the disability this young lady had, she too was joyful. No matter what difficult situation we may find ourselves in, we must strive to have an abundance of joy.
How does that work?
We all know that going through a trial is anything but joyful. It is hard and discouraging, and at times we can be left feeling empty and wanting to give up. How can we fight these emotions?
The first place to look for the answer is the Bible. Consider Peter’s encouragement in 1 Peter 1:6-9: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”
It is very encouraging to read the words in verse 7, “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold.” Interestingly, the Jamieson, Fausset, Brown commentary explains it this way, “If gold, though perishing (vs. 18), is yet tried with fire in order to remove dross and test its genuineness, how much more does your faith, which shall never perish, need to pass through a fiery trial to remove whatever is defective, and to test its genuineness and full value?”
Remember that life can be tough at times, but it can also be joyful. One key to moving towards being more joyful during our trials is being thankful for what we have.
Reading Philippians 4:11-13 helps us to understand that during a trial we can find joy and a lot of other positive attitudes. Everyone’s trials and challenges in life are different, and we all react differently. The key is to stay focused on God and ask for His help to display a joyful attitude.
The young lady I interviewed hasn’t plummeted into discouragement and discontentment. She has made the best of her situation and is trying to live life positively, displaying contentment and joy even though her trial is for life.
On the spiritual level, how exciting to know, when we are tested during a trial, that God is working in our lives and is a part of our lives. He is preparing us for eternity!
Jodie Maczek is a member of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in Australia. She enjoys painting in oil, beach combing and snorkeling.
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