Finding the Fullness of Joy
Written by Kelsey Aritonang
I have the joy joy joy joy down in my heart. This is the song we heard in our primary Sabbath school class. The reason why our Sabbath school teachers laid down these simple principles as children is because they were easy to understand. But then as we get older we forget what it means to have the fullness of joy. Let’s dive into the Word of the God, the Bible.
Joyful Trials
James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
James is saying to be joyful when you are going through trials. To be honest with you, you can't face any trials without the help of God. The truth is, that is how we are with God. We flatter Him with kind words but in our minds we think about something different. Many times it could be that the trials that arise are there in order for you to work on that certain area of your faith. Sometimes the truth hurts. God knows what is best for you.
Take for example Mark 4: 38-41 “38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
The joy the disciples had at that moment when they heard God’s voice “... Peace, be still” is a reassurance that we serve an almighty God that can change the course of our life. His spirit was felt at that very boat. We have become impatient, we want our trials to be smooth as possible. Avoiding those bumps is merely the same as ignoring God. Seeing the power of God’s hand reaching out to save the souls of you and I, is so beautiful to where one day there will be no more tears and no more sorrow. Ladies and gentlemen that is what heaven is all about. Realizing that God has a greater purpose for you. Don’t get stuck in the moment of disparity. Embrace the fullness of joy.
Greater Thing are in Store
In elementary school I felt excluded from the girls. So I made a vow to myself that in middle school and the years after, I would surround myself with the people that loved me and the things I loved to do. I tried out for volleyball, I attended all the practices, and I never missed one. If my parents were busy, which often happened, I would take my bike from my house to the light rail then to the gym. The day of decision the coach pulled me aside and told me I did not make the team. I moved on to the next sport. I was so determined that the following year, I tried out for cheerleading with my best friend. Just like volleyball I went to every practice. I memorized all of the dances and cheers. I was so confident that I would make the team. That Monday morning I never felt so broken. I found out that my best friend made the cheerleading team but I didn’t. I thought that everything I ever dreamt of would be real but it didn’t happen. This part of my life was a pit. One day it hit me so hard that I started to realize my selfish behavior was incredibly bad, mentally and physically. I had shut out my closest friends and my family. The turning point for me was when I thought less about my selfish life and more about God. I finally understood why I was going through this difficult time but by doing so I found joy and peace. God had slowly revealed to me wonderful and happy people who love to serve God. Through that I gained an experience I never saw before, that was God was trying to protect me because I would’ve been lost in the world. Think about it, if I made it to the cheer squad or became popular the chances are I would have never made it to Friday night vespers or church on Sabbath. I would have never helped my family heal back together, and I would have never accepted myself for who I am. A person who is willing to serve God. Now I do things that make me happy and bring joy to God. I face the reality each day that I have to die to self daily because I am not worth the blood that was shed on Calvary.
My desire for you, is to be that person who finds God in every trial. Whatever trials or hardship you face remember to be patient and joyful. Sooner or later you will come to realize that you and God have created an inseparable bond.
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Rom. 15:13
