Finding Joy

After the Sabbath following Jesus’s death, Mary of Magdalene and Mary the mother of James rose early and went to the tomb. But the tomb was empty. Jesus wasn’t there.

“Do not be afraid,” an angel told them. “He is not here; for He is risen.”

The women quickly left the tomb “with fear and great joy,” to let the disciples know.

As they were on their way, Jesus met them. “Do not be afraid,” he told them.

Twice the women were told “Do not be afraid.” First by the angel at the tomb, and later by Jesus.

Do not be afraid.

But between the times the women were told not to be afraid, we learn they weren’t just fearful, they were also joyful. And they had a reason to be joyful—their Lord was risen. He was still with them.

We also have a reason to be joyful. Jesus is with us, too. Just as he was with the disciples in the boat during the storm.

“Why are you so fearful?” he asked them.

Why are we?

What if we take our fear and turn it into joy?

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:2-6

He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. The disciples doubted in the boat. As did Peter when he tried to walk on the water during another storm. As soon as Peter started to fear, he began to sink. “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Jesus asked him.

Why do we doubt? Why do we start to feel fear? Why do we let ourselves start to sink? Let’s turn our doubts into faith. Our fear into joy. Let’s turn our storms into still waters.

When Jesus awoke in the boat and rose to help the disciples, he turned their storm into still waters. He will do the same with ours.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9

Sometimes it’s hard to achieve the peace of God that surpasses understanding the Apostle Paul refers to. But it’s there for us if we remain focused. Let’s stop doubting. Let’s stop feeling fearful. Let’s meditate on the lovely and pure things instead. Let’s find the joy. Then we can achieve the peace.

“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.”
-Kay Warren

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