The Joy of the Long Game: Day 8 of Joy
He is kind to you.
Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of suffering and patience. See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome from the Lord: The Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
— James 5:10-11 CSB
We often mistake joy for a “sprint,” a high-energy burst we feel when things go our way. But James introduces us to a different kind of joy: the unsinkable joy of the “marathon.” He points us to the prophets and to Job, people whose lives were often defined by seasons of waiting and intense suffering. Yet, James uses a surprising word to describe those who endure: Blessed.
The word “blessed” is deeply tied to a resilient kind of joy. It is the realization that while the current chapter may be written in tears, the Author of the book is “very compassionate and merciful.”
When we are in the middle of a storm that won’t quit, our faith can feel battered. But endurance isn’t just gritting your teeth and hating every second; it’s anchoring your heart in the outcome from the Lord. Joy is found in the certainty that God’s compassion is the final word on your life. Your joy today doesn’t have to be loud or bubbly; it can be the quiet, firmness of a heart that refuses to give up because it knows who is waiting at the finish line.
The 90/10 Rule of Endurance
[read this article to learn more about the 90/10 rule]
The 10%: The current season of suffering and the pain that feels like it will never end.
The 90%: The proven character of God. He is compassionate, He is merciful, and He is committed to a beautiful outcome for your life.
When you focus on the 10 percent, patience feels like a prison. When you focus on the 90 percent, endurance becomes a pathway to a joy that the world can’t touch.
Think of one area where you are tired of waiting or tired of hurting. Instead of looking for an immediate exit, look for the outcome from the Lord. Remind yourself: This is not the end of the story. My God is full of compassion. Let that truth be the anchor that keeps you from sinking today.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the examples of those who have endured before me. I confess that I am often short-sighted and easily discouraged by the waves. Give me the unsinkable joy of the long game. Anchor my heart in Your mercy and compassion and help me to trust the outcome You are working for me, even when I can’t see it yet. Amen.
View all messages in the series at: www.faithsaves.us/t/joy-series-faith-saves-us