Joy: 37-Day DevotionalSample

There I was, stuck in the hotel room, my right foot elevated while watching Fixer Upper reruns. After months of planning the perfect Disney vacation, my family enjoyed the fruits of my labor, but a nasty spider bite had stolen my magical day at Epcot. I wish I could say my first reaction was to choose joy, but my sin nature grumbled over joy lost. I felt angry and disappointed over the unfairness of the situation. However, my frustration dissipated as my girls came happily bouncing in the door filling the room with chatter about memories made. My children had enjoyed a day full of pure Disney delight despite my crummy situation. In that moment, my sour attitude disappeared, and I recognized that joy was less about my circumstances and more about my response to those circumstances. 

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas had every reason to allow the unfairness of their situation to determine their behavior in the jail cell that night. Instead, their joyful response is humbling. After being beaten severely and thrown into prison with no chance to defend themselves, Paul and Silas inconceivably responded by praying and singing hymns. They exemplified joy even in the face of persecution. When an earthquake gave them the opportunity to escape, Paul and Silas remained in their cell. God used their joyful response to awaken the heart of their jailer, which in turn stirred the hearts of those in the jailer’s household. Paul and Silas could have missed the joy of the jailer’s conversion had they focused on their own difficulty. Instead, they exemplified a faith far greater than their momentary suffering and reaped the benefits of seeing joy multiplied. The hope they had in Christ enabled them to choose joy over sorrow. 

Lord Jesus, forgive us for often allowing our circumstances to determine our words and actions. Help us to respond to the disappointments and trials along life’s path with a joyful attitude. May those around us see the reason for our joy and be drawn to the hope we have in You.