Reading stories about buried treasure
Fills your mind with great adventure
Detailed map used to search for clues
Adds to the mystery and suspense too
Some seek happiness in a similar way
Based on their circumstances each day
If they could just change their situation
It would bring happiness and satisfaction
But trials come in all shapes and kinds
Only God has the final solution in mind
Consider these four ways to discover joy
Life will be more meaningful day by day
First, joy is buried beneath my circumstances
I lose joy when problems do not make sense
Because I am focusing on the surface level
Pure joy goes beyond and is much deeper still
When I pray and ask for God to intervene
He may answer in a miraculous way seen
Removing me completely from the situation
Or change my character in it by my reaction
Second, joy is buried beneath all my questions
When I ask why, God hears without hesitation
In times my faith is tested, I may not understand
But God knows what He is doing and has a plan
Third, joy is buried beneath all of my hardships
Through an ongoing illness or broken relationship
Perseverance must finish its work inside of me
I will not give up, knowing it takes time you see
Fourth, joy is buried beneath all my perceptions
When I see my problems in His same reflection
I learn to focus not on things that I am missing
Instead on what I do have and every blessing
James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,
not lacking anything.