“Encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” —1 Thess. 2:12 (NIV)

Many years ago, a woman I knew at church shared that it was easy to be a Christian and wondered why anyone who loved Jesus could be sad and not gloriously happy all the time. I remember thinking she must never have encountered any of those challenging tough days and events we all experience in our lives.

As I reflect back, I think maybe what she was talking about was the happiness she felt in loving and serving Jesus. She wasn’t focused on trials and tribulations and the struggles we face, but rather she was embracing the overflowing joy we have in Jesus. James 1:2 tells us to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (NIV). She was considering the joy.

One of the many blessings of being a part of God’s church is that we can encourage and comfort each other through the trials of life. We can urge each other to live lives worthy of God. We can be a shoulder to help carry the weight of tears and anxiety while at the same time be a beacon of joy and love as we reflect the Father’s love and care for us. Through it all, we can walk alongside each other and lift each other up to walk worthy of God’s love. We can remind each other of the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus. What a precious gift we have been given — our Savior. Plus, don’t forget the icing on the cake of being invited into His kingdom and glory!

As we travel this life beside the people in the family of God, let’s remember to love and encourage each other, always, but especially when we see others struggling to remember the joy we have in Christ. And let’s share the joy of living lives worthy of God as we lead our preschoolers to experience God’s love through our joy and see how we can love and encourage others in their faith journey.

Despite life’s trials, I have joy — joy that starts with a capital J. Jesus!

Prayer:

Father God, we give thanks to You for giving us each other as encouraging companions while traveling through life. Call to mind each day the joy we have as we strive to live lives worthy of You. Let us be a joyful light of Your love as we share the gift of Jesus with the preschoolers we love and teach. In the holy name of Jesus, amen.

Angie Quantrell is the editor for WMU preschool resources.