• Abundant Life, Abundant Joy

    By: Kristen L. McNulty

    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

    One of my life verses comes from Colossians 1, in the Message translation of the Bible where it reads:

    "We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us."

    I thought I understood that verse rather well, as it's been on my heart and mind for years now. But my recent experiences have taught me a lot about that verse, the second part of it specifically. I've known what it means to have strength that endures the unendurable, but have had a lot to learn about what it means for it to spill over into joy, understanding and thanking God for the bright and beautiful that can exist even in the hardest trials.

    More Than Fine


    I'm not going to sugarcoat it, what I've been going through and the challenges I've faced since my surgery last October has been one of the biggest trials I've ever faced in my life. Just when I think I'm close to an answer or solution it seems a whole new issue arises in my health that sends everything else spiraling. And it's not over yet. But one thing has been remarkably different when I compare this trial to others I've endured and it's this: I'm really okay. I don't mean just getting by, enduring the trial but being very miserable throughout. I mean I'm actually more than fine and internally I'm more satisfied and peaceful and joyful than I've ever been.

    Why? Because my previous trials were like endurance training and I've learned circumstances can rob me of health and finances and relationships and the bumper on my car, but they can't rob me of my joy or my abundant life.

    In John 10:10 Jesus said: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

    Abundant Life, Abundant Joy


    The word abundant is defined as "existing or available in large quantities; plentiful." So I take this verse to mean, and it's been my experience, that Jesus doesn't just give us enough to get by in this life, rather He gives us a large, plentiful, beautiful life, even when facing circumstances that don't look so pretty on the surface. Living out His abundant life allows us to have abundant joy.

    But life and joy isn't something we're just given injected with, it's something we need to be intentional about. When life gets heavy and hard, we can sit at home on the couch and wallow or we can get out there and take purposeful steps to live out the abundant life and joy you can experience, even in this.

    In my life this looks like God helping me through doctors appointments and surgeries and tests and a lot of things I'd rather not doing, and then me injecting opportunities for joy into my life through spending time with family and friends, continuing on with my ministries, playing with my incredible nephews and niece, spending time thanking God for what He's given me and for the privilege of sharing in His suffering (1 Peter 4:13), and going fishing. Lots and lots and lots of fishing.

    The Enemy Can't Steal Our Joy


    The enemy and the reality of living in a fallen world can steal a lot from our lives, but it can't steal our joy. We can have joy when we face hardship because we know and trust that no matter what we encounter in life, as Christians are are going to be okay. Jesus has already saved us from the worst: death, and given us the best: an eternity with Him in heaven. And He has promised to walk us through the rest. When we believe it and trust Him to be our hope, joy follows.

    Romans 15:13: "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

    Practicing Intentional Living


    I know celebrating or laughing or embracing life might be the last thing you feel like doing when you're hit hard in life, but that's the best time to start. Become intentional about living life to the fullest here and now. Counteract the pain and the hardship with opportunities for joy. Whether that's going on a walk with a friend, watching a comedy, cranking about the praise songs and singing along, taking a road trip, inventorying all you have in your life to be thankful for, going to a concert or spending an afternoon at an amusement park. Remind your soul that you're still alive and well even if all the circumstances in your life say you aren't. And never forget you're not alone in this, God is with you every step of the way.

    "I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever." Psalm 16:8-11


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