God's "Be Joyful Always" Tests Our Faith

God’s commands test our faith and challenge our natural reactions. Let’s consider some specific examples, such as be joyful always, the pray without ceasing verse, and in everything give thanks: “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT).

Does that sound like you during a traffic jam, or when someone cuts you off while you are driving? I confess that it isn’t my first reaction. Let’s consider why we struggle and what lies behind those three commands.

We Struggle Because Our Agendas Erase God’s Agenda

I fish on a local river. My favorite way to fish is drifting downstream with the current. Today, the wind is blasting downriver. Because the northwesterly gusts are propelling my boat like an invisible outboard motor, I am whipping past trees on the bank far faster than I want to.

The boat is moving too quickly for me to fish effectively while drifting. I am frustrated and irritated about the unwelcome wind gusts. My joy is undetectable, I am not praying, and I am anything but thankful.

Like the wind gusts and river currents, my agenda of catching the most and biggest fish I can is driving me during my fishing experience. In those moments, I am not thinking about God or His will for my life. I am thinking about what I want and grumbling about adverse weather conditions that are frustrating my plans.

God was a welcome guest during my devotional time earlier today, but now He is forgotten, as are His commands concerning rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks. I am not denying myself, taking up my cross, and following Jesus (Luke 9:23).

I am substituting my goal to catch the most and biggest fish I can for following Him. My agenda has become my idol, which, like two coins in front of my eyes, blots out my view of the Son.  I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that your agenda often erases His, too.

I could be rejoicing in my opportunity to spend this day in the beautiful natural world He created. I could be communicating with Him as a friend, sitting in the boat with me. I could be thankful that my vessel isn’t sinking, my outboard motor is working, and I am healthy enough to go on this fishing trip. Sadly, I am not doing any of these.

Faith Tests Lie Behind God’s Commands

Why does God command us to rejoice, pray, and give thanks continually? It seems unreasonable and unrealistic for Him to issue such commands to obey when adversity gusts play havoc with our sense of well-being. We must change how we think.

The underlying issue is that we often don’t recognize faith tests while God is conducting them. Our eyes remain fastened on the problem instead of the One who can enable us to overcome it (Philippians 4:13), which upsets us emotionally.

James gives insight into what God is doing. “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:2-4 NLT).

God is in the faith-building business. Enduring faith is far more valuable than the number and size of the fish I catch today. James wrote that troubles are opportunities for great joy.

Reminding ourselves that God is at work for our good despite the appearance of chaos and calamity can help calm our emotional storms when life goes rogue (Romans 8:28; Romans 8:32). See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians. #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources 

God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 6,830 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 16,725 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.

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