32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. (Hebrews 10)
Joy is not as readily evident in times of ease and plenty. It is most apparent when the opposite is true - when suffering, affliction, problems and struggles line our path. Joy is shown when despite all these things we can still be caught showing compassion to others, no matter what others are doing to us. Joy again joins with hope - that confident expectation that God has something good ahead for us, and with faith - this is the prelude passage to the great Hall of Faith in chapter 11. Don't "throw your confidence away", as the writer says here, or as we may say: "don't let anyone steal your joy." We have control over our joy - not because we are so strong on our own, but when we are willing to trust in Christ, and come confidently in faith to Him. Whatever you are going through today, may you experience confident, and compassionate, joy.
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