Christians- How do you maintain joy when facing trials, hardships,setbacks and loss of family?

Answer 1

I am going to paraphrase James chapter 1 but read it for yourself and see if you get the same picture.

He says the we should "count it all joy" when we fall into different trials because it will develop our patience to make us perfect and mature us. It isn't that we will be happy with every trial given to us but that we should be assured that if we have given our heart to Jesus, everything is for a reason and for our ultimate good. God sees a bigger picture than we do and knows what effects each trial will have us.
If we are trying to build up our body we do not always have "joy" in the aches and pains we might have each week as we are lifting weights and running and all.....BUT we can "maintain overall joy" knowing that there IS a purpose for the pain we are enduring and there will be an outcome we will really appreciate in the end.

Answer 2

Well, for starters one should recognize the difference between being "happy" and having "joy". Happy is fleeting. Joy sustains.

Joy is knowing that the trials, hardships, setbacks and loss of family serve a greater purpose in the Kingdom of God. Joy is knowing that these same set-backs are for betterment of ourselves as people. They help us develop endurance and patience and ultimately strengthen our character.

This is not to say that the trials, hardships, setbacks and loss of family are either fun or enjoyable at all. But knowing they have purpose and reason and are not just random acts makes them more tolerable.

Focusing on the greater purpose at hand is what's always gotten me through.

Answer 3

To answer your question let me say first that joy comes from inside the human heart , it is different than happiness. Happiness is dependent on circumstance. But joy on the other hand goes so much deeper; it stems from a knowledge knowing that God is in complete control of my life what he is allowing has a purpose (even though I don't know or can't see what that might be) This comes from faith believing what we cannot see or explain. Faith has no intristic value of it's own however; so it is only as valuable as the object it's placed faith. My faith is placed in Jesus Christ this is what makes that faith valuable; this is where the joy comes from in trials and hardships everyday set backs and losses of family .

Answer 4

It isn't easy, I can say that, life is a long journey of learning and wisdom can be gained. I am 56. In 2000 I was in an 8 mo. long severe depression in a fetal position for that time. My church, supportive Christian friends would say, "count it all joy" and I hated that but knew because of my life long journey with God that they were keeping my wings flying when I couldn't. Well, I went into the depression after 6 years of CIFDS and when I came out it was in remission for 5 years, so perhaps what seemed like hell to me was God's way of slowing me down and healing me, which I had so begged for ?????????/ And as in a weaving, God sees the beautiful upper side and we see the ugly under side with straggles of yarn, just like my horrible depression when I almost died. But look what came of it. It is so hard, but greatness and goodness often does come from suffering. ask your parents about raising you and those first few weeks when you cried all night and they didn't get any sleep ??? They probably thought the suffering was horrible at that point, but they got you as a reward as they rode out that suffering.

Answer 5

Trials, hardships, setbacks and loss of family are events we cannot control. They are outside of us. But, what we can control is our inner feeling. We can decide how to feel about those painful experiences. We can decide to accept it as opportunities to be joyful as part of life's experiences or we can accept it with sadness.

joyfulness is something inside of us and cannot be affected by outside events in our life.

Answer 6

That is a problem for sure. One needs to thank God for the small everyday things he gives.

However, one scripture shows that the joy that may be extrapolated comes from knowing that you are worthy of suffering for God and Christ. If you are suffering because of being worthy, then the suffering in of itself is proof of this worthiness! This brings the joy you are talking about.

2 Thessalonians 1:5 for your perseverance and faith in all your persecutions and in the tribulations that ye endure, 5being evidence of the righteous judgment of God, for you to be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which also ye suffer. (ACV)

Answer 7

it is hard. it's just as hard for us as it is everyone else. we just have to remember that God is there for us. he will always be there to comfort us. God does alow bad things to happen, but sometimes its to bring us closer to Him. so how do we deal with it? we pray. i do anyways. i ask Him for peace. and i think about why the hardship is happening. try to think of what God is trying to do in my life.

Answer 8

Jesus lives in me. When I am faced with these things I lean on Jesus. He has always got me through these things.

I pray and seek the Lord.

Answer 9

THE HOLY SPIRIT is the comforter who leads men deceived by satan to errors and sins and thus, suffers and lead them to partake of the honor and glory to the suffering servant-THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST said Cheer up, I have overcome the world. Satan thought THE LORD JESUS CHRIST whom he crucified was defeated but similarly, it was a triumph and victory in the spirit and also those who partake of HIS sufferings.

Answer 10

Today, we cannot feel the real happiness. However, GOD promised to us that in the near future mankind have the real happiness and how to find that real happiness? This site will help u. http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2001/3/1/article_02.htm