"Being Joyful in the Face of Adversity"
An excerpt from the book
Lessons from the Trenches
copyright 2003 MEND Workshops LLC
Jack and I car pooled everyday for over two years. Each day he talked at great length about his two stepchildren, his wife and his own 5-year-old biological son. I had a sense from the stories that he was a loving husband and a great step dad and father. When I finally met his family I was surprised to see that the biological son was a down syndrome child. He had always talked about this child as if he were normal.
Sometime later I asked Jack if it had been hard cooping with having a down child. "It was devastating," he said, "like someone knocked the wind out of me. The night he was born, my world came crashing down That was a Saturday night. Sunday I had to drag myself to church which was the last place on earth I wanted to go. A man, I didn't know, was at the front door to greet me. He had a huge smile on his face and as he grabbed my hand said, 'Congratulations, I heard the news about your wonderful son.' I thought he was making some sick joke at my expense so I lowered my head to walk away. 'No, wait,' he said, 'I wanted you to meet my son. He's my life and joy. He drew you a picture.'"
'Hanging onto the man's pant leg with one hand and holding a piece of orange construction paper in the other was the man's son. One look at him and I could tell - he had down syndrome. He greeted me with a smile from ear to ear and his eyes sparked with pride as he handed me the multicolored crayon picture. 'Pweased to meet you,' he said - then he added, 'I wuv my daddy. E's my wife and yoy too.'' "What that man did for me,'" Jack said, "changed my life forever."
It becomes evident after reading the book of Philippians that one of Paul's great themes is that of joy or rejoicing. The word rejoice, rejoicing or joy occurs some sixteen times and reflects inner character traits that Paul possessed as a believer. To many of us that seems rather amazing in light of the adversity surrounding the writing of the book. This was the fourth book he had written while in prison. The best evidence is that this was a Roman prison - some suggest at the Mamertine dungeon where he also wrote 2 Timothy.
Most of us find it hard to capture the character trait of joy while facing adversity. Often the littlest twist in our day will set us off. Temper, attitudes, disgust, fear, disappointment, frustration, withdrawal or a whole host of other characteristics might best describe our reactions to adversity.
One mother said it this way as she attempted to help her family through a crisis that threatened to destroy their home, "The time for joy is now, when we need it most, not next week." Her attitude was infectious and it lifted the family so that they could approach the adversity with courage.
Using the text of Philippians as a guide, try and determine the wisdom that surrounds being joyful in the face of adversity.
Selected verses on Joy from the Book of Philippians
Chapter 1
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
18 The import thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
19 Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
25 I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.
26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
2 make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus . . .
29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,
30 because he almost died for the work of Christ.
1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!
1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me.
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