One of the many questions people have about the Christian faith is that “if God is good, why is there so much chaos in the world”. They ask questions like “where was God when bad things like earthquakes, kidnappings, murders happen”. The simple answer to that is that While God is all powerful, He has given man the freewill to choose between good and evil and will not superimpose himself on man to do his will. It must be by choice. It’s the freewill man was given at creation that he abused and sinned against God. And that sin has led to the fallen world we have today. That is the origin of pain and hardship we experience in today’s world. What’s interesting is that our Christianity does not exempt us from these tribulations and hardship, hence the need to build spiritual fortitude and know that our joy is not of this world. Unfortunately, this is not general knowledge, and in fact many Christians are one trial away from backsliding. However, the good news is that it doesn’t end there.

Hebrews 4:15

King James Version

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

God took on flesh, dwelt among us and died our death, and in doing that He has empathized with us in our frailty, and identified with us in our suffering and pain. So, He understands, no matter what it is you’re going through in life. In whatever situation you are; if you feel rejected, he understands; if you are under pressure, he understands, because he has walked this path before and identifies with us in our suffering, and that’s a message of His grace.

Matthew 26:38 

King James Version

38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

He has felt the same way you feel, I mean He was a few hours away from being captured to be crucified on the cross, what feeling could be worse than that. So, He definitely understands what it means to go through pain and suffering, the son of God was not exempted from this experience.

Hebrews 12:2 

King James Version

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We are used to looking unto Jesus for salvation, but He is also our example in handling tribulations, because the Bible says to look unto Him. Jesus knew he was born to die and said it several times during his earthly ministry.

As Christians, we need to develop our stamina in the face of tribulations when they come at us by looking unto Jesus and following in His steps. He looked passed the pain on the cross and set joy before himself; in the middle of the pain, joy was in his mind. Therefore, we not only think joy when good things happen, we also think joy despite whatever trials we are going through.

What if you had that perspective that though you are going through a tough time you are able to see beyond it? What if you stopped recognizing that trial as final, that you know that after this phase has run its course, you will still be standing. Knowing this, you can trust the providence of God that if God allowed you to go through this pain, it means there’s a way out. God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted more than you can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13), so if it came your way it means there is a way out. What if you said the same about your trial and your trust in God. 

If Jesus was obedient to death, how much more you? This is the perspective to have, the perspective of the providence of God that no matter what comes my way, it can be moved, and it is not too big for me to handle. Even in death, Jesus saw a way out.  Furthermore, in the face of all the tribulations that we face everyday it is important that we trust God with our lives.

Finally, we must recognize that our joy is not circumstantial, and that’s something Jesus Christ knew. Our joy is not in the occurrences around us, but in the person of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:17 

King James Version

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

While joy can be derived from having the good things of life, our joy is not dependent on it because they can change, but our joy is dependent on the one who does not change. There is a type of joy in the bible that is the joy of the holy ghost, it is a fruit of our born-again spirit (Galatians 5:22), that is permanent. 

He has empowered us by the Holy Spirit that lives in us, so like Jesus, we should set joy before ourselves always. Our joy comes from within as empowered by Him, not from external things. If our joy is in God, it will stand the test of time. That’s why the disciples still had joy in the face of persecution because it was from inside, fueled by the Holy Ghost. That’s what it means to have joy in chaos, that the tribulation you are facing does not dictate your mood, that you may be going through the fire, but you don’t look like it. Because your joy is from within, empowered by the holy Ghost. So, you can look beyond the present pain to see the joy that is before you are knowing that God will bring you out victorious.  If you have the Holy Ghost, you have joy in chaos.

Prayer Point:

Lord, I thank you for the joy that you have given me through the Holy spirit. I declare that my joy is not circumstantial. No matter what I’m faced with, I have joy in Chaos, as empowered by the Holy Spirit, because I trust that you will bring me out victorious.