Solomon did it all.

As king of Israel, he was the wisest and wealthiest of all kings. So he sought out everything he could “under the sun” to find something that would bring lasting pleasure and true fulfillment. He searched for meaning in wisdom, in wealth, in pleasure, and in work. But in all these things, he came up empty. “So I hated life, because what is done under the sun is grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after the wind,” he concluded. (Ecclesiastes 2:17)

What a sad state of being – hating life.

I have to admit, sometimes I get in this rut. I chase after things that don’t matter, and then feel empty when the pleasure dissipates. There are so many ways to search for gratification in our world today, but they are temporary vapors, gone in a POOF; none of them bring the deep joy that we are searching for.

Then I remember the words from James in the New Testament, words that we memorized every year when I taught sixth grade. James has the answer to true joy, but not one we would expect.  “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, because the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:2-3)

True joy comes through trials.

Joy comes through fulfilling our God-given purpose in this life. And that purpose is rarely easy. What gives meaning to our lives is when we fight, we struggle, we battle. When we have no choice but to come to God on our knees in total desperation. When we are forced to rely solely on Him. And when we overcome.

Steadfastness cannot be achieved any other way other than just pushing through while trusting in God. When we experience God’s presence in the pain, and when we look back and realize what He has brought us through, our faith is deepened and our trust in Him grows. And that brings the most wonderful joy.

We can take James’s word for it. He was the leader of the church in Jerusalem which underwent much persecution. And church history tells us he was martyred for his faith by being thrown from the pinnacle of the temple and then stoned and clubbed to death. But he had found the secret to true joy.

God, help me to remain steadfast in the duties you have given me, even when it is hard. Thank you for giving me ways to learn to trust You more. Thank you for the deep down joy you supply when we remain steadfast.