As I was reading this morning, I came across a quote by Martha Washington. She was often called “Lady Washington,” because she was the first first lady of the United States. In a letter to her niece, she bemoaned her early days as a presidential spouse: “I live a very dull life . . . and I know nothing that passes in the town. I never go to any public place . . . indeed, I am more like a state prisoner than anything else.” But Martha later embraced her role as first lady and noted, “I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.” To that I say a hearty, “Amen!”
How about you? Have you learned to be joyful in the midst of even the most difficult circumstances because you know God is in control? J.C. Ryle said, “There is no such thing as chance, luck or accident in the Christian journey through this world. All is arranged and appointed by God. And all things are working together for the believer’s good!”
We live in a time where people are more miserable than happy. Fear and anxiousness are approaching epidemic levels. This is especially true in the hearts and minds of those who are under the age of 40. It is understandable for those who don’t know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, as they are “having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12). But it is sadly true of many young people in churches across America today. They need to be instructed by older saints (see Titus 2) who have learned sound doctrine about God’s sovereignty, goodness, wisdom, and love, both in the Word of God and in the circumstances of life.
When God’s Word directs my dispositions, I find myself experiencing incredible joy even in the most difficult of circumstances. I know that my Heavenly Father is absolutely in control of all things at all times (Ps. 103:19; Eph. 1:11), He is wise (Rom. 16:27), He has a plan (Ps. 33:6-12), His will is always good and acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:2).
Meditating upon the following verses has profoundly impacted me at the core of my being and produced a joy that circumstances cannot take away. I share them with you below so you can read through them prayerfully. Please take some time to think deeply about God’s sovereign control and His stated purposes for you.
Matthew 5:10–12 (NASB95) – 10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
James 1:2–4 (NASB95) – 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (NASB95) – 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Romans 8:28–30 (NASB95) – 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Philippians 1:12–14 (NASB95) – 12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
Philippians 4:6–9 (NASB95) – 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Isaiah 26:3 (NASB95) – 3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.
Matthew 6:25–33 (NASB95) – 25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
A few more quotes and verses to encourage you:
Corrie ten Boom: “There is no panic in heaven, only plans. God’s will is a safe place to be.”
Jerry Bridge in “Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts” wrote, “That which should distinguish the suffering of believers from unbelievers is the confidence that our suffering is under the control of an all-powerful and all-loving God. Our suffering has meaning and purpose in God’s eternal plan, and He brings or allows to come into our lives only that which is for His glory and our good.”
Jude 24–25 (NASB95) – 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.