Joyful Testing
The artist Bobby McFerrin had a number one hit with his composition to reduce anxiety in “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” in 1988. It was weird, it was visionary, and it didn’t talk about breaking up or life is hard or focus on the causes of the day. It allowed us to not worry, and to focus on our happiness. I still laugh at the simplicity of it. No instruments, just a cappella rendering that changed music, and may also have encouraged artists like Boyz to Men later on.
It is widely believed that he came across the expression on a poster which is interesting in itself. How many number one songs we know have been authored because of a poster or art, probably more than we are aware of.
In his song “Happy”, Pharrell wants you to throw all the bad news you have at him, but it doesn’t matter, he is too happy, it won’t make a dent in his mood. Another song that did well on the charts I think because people love to be reminded that it is ok to be happy.
Tye Tribbett sings about joy in his recent hit “Joy Comes”, and it is an encouragement to focus on God when we have lost our way, when things seem bad, when we are tired, when there is no hope, when we are at our lowest, most vulnerable and humble. He reminds us that “joy comes in the morning.” This is taken from Psalm 30:5. I have found in my own life when things seem the most desperate, is when God has an opportunity to show up and work a miracle, to comfort, to heal, and to restore our joy.
There are quite a few more songs and books and other media on the topic of happiness and we could go on and on about them.
For the believer in God, joy can be a continual state of being. Yes, we experience hardships, things don’t always go our way, and there are times we get tested like never before. In James 1:2-4, we are encouraged to “consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds,…” NIV Weeping may endure for a night, temptations and trials will come, but God is bigger than all of those and He has already guaranteed the outcome in our favor.
No matter where you are in your walk with God, stuff is going to happen, understand that. However, the way in which we approach the situation can affect the outcome.
Reading through the book of Job recently, I marveled at all the things he went thru and his commitment and dedication to God. God allowed him – His servant Job – to be tested because God knew Job’s faith was unshakeable. His friends deserted him, his family left him, all those that sought him out were of the opinion that he should take the easy way out. He didn’t, and God rewarded him. His joy was restored, he had greater reward after his tests and trials than he had before.
We are not more special than Job, we will be tested. However, knowing that God has allowed His servant – insert your name here – to be tested, can give you hope, and confidence that He knows you are able to not only withstand the test, but prevail.
In Nehemiah 8:10, we are told “the joy of the LORD is your strength.” How do you develop strength? By exercising. If trials and tests are the way in which we exercise spiritually and that increases our joy as well as our faith in God, would we not be happy that we are being tested? Will we be grateful for the opportunity to be used as an example of the chosen that God allows to be tested?
This month I am focusing on having an attitude of gratitude. In Philippians 4:11, Paul tells us that “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”KJV So, personally, for 30 days, I am adopting this attitude and want to extend beyond 30 days where I am grateful and thankful to God for where He has brought me, for what He has allowed to happen to me, and for where He wants me to go next.
I encourage you to adopt a posture of gratitude to God for 30 days, no matter where you are in your walk or what is going on in your life.
Be grateful, be joyful, be happy in God.
CT