Beyond Suffering Bible Sampler - Flipbook - Page 15
D E V O T I O N A L
“Always be full of joy in the Lord.
I say it again—rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4
Breaking the Joy Barrier
“God is working all things for the good.” “If God brings you to it, he’ll bring
you through it.” These are common clichés of the Christian faith. And while
such catchphrases are rooted in Scripture, they can sound glib if not delivered
with care. Philippians 4:4 could easily fall into this category. For hurting
people, a natural response to Paul’s exhortation to “always be full of joy”
might be, “Yeah, right!”
Always? Everyone? Rejoice about what?
Break the Barriers is a one-of-a-kind touring gymnastics team that exudes
so much joy and excitement through their show it’s easy to miss the fact that
the performers all have disabilities. Young people clad in colorful leotards
leap and fly through the air to a booming soundtrack. A teenager with Down
syndrome pushes the wheelchair of a child with cerebral palsy. Adult spotters keep watch as the kids construct human pyramids. A couple of stronger
boys even carry smiling kids in wheelchairs over their heads. The audience is
both awestruck and inspired by the young people who radiate joy as they also
build awareness and understanding for those impacted by disability.
Had Paul been in the audience that day, he would have led the standing
ovation. Throughout his letter to the Philippians, Paul challenges fellow
believers to trust in God’s sovereignty and joyfully live out their faith, regardless of their circumstances. It’s a message found in both the Old and New
Testaments, and one Paul himself likely wrestled with as he faced suffering
and persecution. Some have theorized that the apostle too may have had a
disability.
There is something intriguing about an individual who can maintain
joy despite arduous circumstances. Perhaps that played a part in God’s decision not to remove Paul’s “thorn in the flesh,” despite his fervent requests
(2 Cor 12:7-10).
Rejoice always? Everyone? Yes!
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