Week of November 12, 2001
Melanie H.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers,
whenever you face trials of many kinds."
James 1:2

The words joy and rejoice are used 14 times in Paul's letter to the Philippians, more than in any other of Paul's writings. When Paul talked about joy, he was describing a settled state of mind characterized by peace. Joy is an attitude that views the world with all its ups and downs and insecurities in the confidence which is rooted in faith.

Joy is more than a mood or an emotion. For Paul, it was an understanding of existence which encompasses both elation and depression. Joy is an attitude that can accept events which bring either delight or dismay. How? By allowing us to look beyond any upset or crisis to see our Lord. Then we realize that He is with us in every situation. Joy is a matter of learning to take our problems and the crisis of life in stride and to use even painful circumstances to bring glory to God.

When James instructed us to consider trials a joy, he was challenging us to adopt the attitude which would allow the negative circumstances of life to affect us positively. In other words, you have a choice. He is saying, "Make up your mind to regard adversity as something to welcome or be glad about." Joy is a decisive action, not a passive surrender to circumstances.

By walking in the Spirit and allowing the Spirit to have His way in your life, joy can be the result. This doesn't mean that you deny or ignore hurt and grief. But eventually this sense of joy takes root in your life, and you are able to say, "Yes, there is pain and hurt, but the sense of gladness called joy is there as well."

Thank you Heavenly Father for opening our eyes to all the joy you have brought us. Amen

Contributed by Melanie H.
Published Monday November 12, 2001
Week 51 of Liturgical Year C