Finding Joy During Times of Unhappiness

2 Timothy 2:3

Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Surely there is no happiness in suffering.  No sane person chooses to suffer.  But to suffer for Christ's sake is to have joy in all things.  To choose God's will for our lives, even if it means suffering, is to have constant joy in our lives.  If we continue in God's will as our suffering continues, our joy will increase even though our happiness may fluctuate.  Through it all, our resolution to suffer for Christ's sake will become stronger and our love of God and Jesus Christ will increase.

If we view our suffering in any other way than through the will of God, our lives are guaranteed to be roller coaster rides with many highs and many lows.  On the other hand, if we keep our focus on Jesus through our suffering, our lives will be on steadied paths toward completed sainthood in heaven for all eternity.  Our lives will be filled with joy even in unhappy circumstances.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for allowing us to overcome the suffering that the world brings us.  We bless the name of Jesus for bringing us joy even when everything around us in the world brings some level of unhappiness.  We pray, Father, that the Holy Spirit will strengthen us to endure our trials so that our love for You and for Our Savior, Jesus, becomes greater with each moment that we endure our suffering.  As we find joy in Christ, we pray that our example will make others strong and mature in their relationship with You.  We ask all these things in the name of our suffering Savior, Jesus Christ.