Turkey, Dysfunctional Families, and Joy

Turkey, Dysfunctional Families and Joy

I bet you’re busy today cooking, cleaning or packing. Tomorrow, you will either host or visit the beautiful and dysfunctional group known as family. As you pull up a chair at the table and pass the turkey, what thoughts will pass through your mind? 

Has your family endured trouble this past year? Is the heart ache of death, divorce, sickness, or broken relationships within the family threatening your joy of the holiday? What should we do then with the Bible verse that says, “When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy” (James 1:2)? Will tomorrow be an opportunity for great joy or great discouragement? Like it or not, if your family has suffered many trials this past year, like mine has, we are obligated, as Chosen and Crowned daughters of the King, to pursue joy tomorrow. Stay with me for just a moment as we look into this some more.

I found a man in the Bible, named Paul, who endured troubles of every kind. He cited examples like working to exhaustion, battling sickness, enduring sleepless nights, and facing angry mobs. I thought that kind of sounded similar to what my family experienced this past year, so I kept reading.  Though Paul endured many ongoing trials, he lived out his “opportunities for great joy”. He chose not to focus on his circumstances, but to focus on how he acted in the midst of his circumstances. He chose to let his trials refine him, not wreck him.

He looked at trials as joyful opportunities to:

1. Shine brightly for Jesus. Paul knew that others were watching how he lived out his faith. Paul chose not to complain or argue. He held firmly to God’s promises which brought hope and life into his dark trials. He found joy in that hope. Mom friend, not only are others watching you; your kids are watching you. Does your life reflect the power of God at work inside you? In the midst of your frustration and exhaustion, take a deep breath and focus on Jesus. He is ready and willing to pour out His grace on you so you are able to act like Him. When you act like Christ in a difficult situation, joy will be yours.

2. Be like Christ. Christ came to earth as a servant. Paul found joy walking in Christ’s footsteps as a servant bringing Good News. Jesus knew what it was to suffer. Because of Christ’s great love for us, Jesus humbled Himself in obedience to God, gave up His divine privileges, and took the position of a slave.  For the joy set before Him, which was a relationship with us, Jesus endured the cross. Friend, when you are with your family tomorrow, be humble and gentle. You are a servant of the Good News of Christ’s love. When you take on this humble position out of obedience to God, you will be blessed and lifted up by the One who appointed you. Be sure of this, joy has been set before you. Pursue it!

3. Press on towards the goal. Paul knew there was a rich heavenly reward waiting for him at the end of his life here on earth. Holding onto that eternal perspective helped him endure his trials. He said, “I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Phil. 3:13). Chosen and Crowned friend, you have a rich reward waiting for you in heaven. To run your race with joy, you must train with the Ultimate Coach. As you prepare for tomorrow, meet with God today. Let His words penetrate your heart. Although there will be pain along the way, there will be much opportunity for joy. Look for it!

While we long to be released from trials, we can have joy knowing that God will use those trials to refine us and not wreck us. But we must cooperate with him. Trust in him with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. God has given you everything you need. Therefore, sweet friend, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Make every effort to live a life of love and self-control. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1: 3-11). Now that is an opportunity for joy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Anna Frye is a speaker, author, television host and founder of the Chosen and Crowned tribe. She invites moms and wives to celebrate imperfect progress fueled by the grace of a perfect God. She helps women bravely talk about the messy places of life, instead of hiding shamefully under them. She believes that lasting beauty comes when women courageously surrender their ashes to God and allow him to do something mind-blowingly amazing with them. If this resonates with you, then you belong with the Chosen and Crowned tribe. Connect at www.ChosenAndCrowned.com/blog