If you look around my house, you will begin to see a theme. The word “joy” is everywhere. There is a reason for this. This theme is my reminder, especially during the winter months, that we are to have joy, to choose joy in the midst of whatever we are going through. I don’t know about you, but I need these reminders.

We are going to look at joy or rejoicing each Saturday this year, Lord willing.

Today, let’s look at Romans 5:3-5.

“³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope:⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

The word “glory” in that verse means to rejoice or be joyful. We can rejoice and have joy in trials because we know that God will use it in our lives. Do you see what the suffering can do in our lives? It works patience, experience and hope in our lives. The love of God will be shed abroad in our hearts through these.

We don’t know what this year holds. There will likely be suffering. When it comes, may we rejoice. Oh, we are not sadistic, wanting suffering, but rejoicing in what God does through the suffering. He uses what is bad to produce something good. We rejoice in that through the suffering.

May we go into the new year confident and rejoicing as we know we can trust God in the good and the bad.