Joy found despite great devastation in Eagle

I spent the last week in Eagle working to rebuild the town after the devastating flooding and ice of this spring. The 70-degree weather in late April created massive flooding along the Yukon River. A 40-mile ice jam caused huge mountains of ice to destroy much of the town. Sixty teenagers and adults from the Mat-Su Valley traveled 500 miles to serve in Eagle. They worked alongside Samaritan’s Purse and the Mennonite Relief Society to make a difference.

Many homes were smashed into matchsticks. The road was wiped out. Some people lost all their possessions. Serving in Eagle is not easy. Mountains of debris and overwhelming devastation are all found in the town. The only shower available for the young people was Mission Creek— a glacier fed stream. Many of the volunteers used precious vacation time to live in tents and use outhouses.

In the midst of very challenging circumstances, we experienced deep joy in Eagle. The teenagers serving were excited, motivated and thrilled. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Even many people in Eagle who lost everything experienced great joy in the midst of tough times.

God desires you to experience joy. Joy is very different from happiness. Happiness is related to happenings. The word happiness comes from the old English word hap which basically conveys the idea of chance. Happiness is an attitude of satisfaction based upon circumstances. Joy is very different. Joy transcends circumstances. Joy is a deep, certain confidence that all is well. My favorite definition of joy is this, “Joy is the flag that flies on the castle of the heart when the king (Jesus) is in residence there!” Joy is a gift from God. Joy flows from the knowledge that God is working all things for his glory and our greatest good.

How can a person experience joy even in the midst of tough times? How can someone rise above the circumstances of life? Philippians 1:3-8 reveals five keys for experiencing joy in your life.

A joyful person…

• Focuses upon the positive and not the negative. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you….” Paul planted the church in Philippi in Acts 16. Ten years had passed since Paul heard from the church. During those 10 years Paul experienced many difficult circumstances. For 10 years the silence from the church was deafening. However, the great apostle did not focus upon their weaknesses or shortcomings. He looked past their failings and focused upon the good in their lives. A joyful, contented person always concentrates upon the good and not the bad.

The flooding and ice in Eagle were massive. Yet, no lives were lost. Many homes and businesses were destroyed. But today through the help of many people, they are being rebuilt. Romans 8:28 tells us that the Lord always brings good out of bad. Always focus on the positive and not the negative.

• Focuses upon the needs of others and not his own needs. Paul said, “…always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy….” (verse 4). When Paul wrote these words he was under arrest in Rome. Amazingly, Paul was praying for the Philippian believers. Believers who possess God given joy do not focus upon themselves even in the midst of painful or difficult circumstances. The teenagers who left the Valley and traveled to Eagle left behind their own needs and focused upon the needs of others.

The greatest example of focusing upon others is Jesus. Jesus did not focus upon himself. He left heaven to die for our sins. He came with a mission — to be the savior of the world. Matthew 20:28 says, “…for even the Son of Man (Jesus) did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.”

• Is part of a loving church family and not isolated. “…for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now…” (verse 5). This word fellowship has the idea of sharing something in common. Paul rejoiced that the Philippians were saved and partners with him in sharing the gospel. It is impossible to live faithfully or happily apart from fellow believes in Christ.

A depressed person is often an isolated person. In Eagle we loved each other and cared for each other and ministered together and fought the good fight of faith together.

• Focuses upon the future and not just today. “For I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (verse 6). Nothing can encourage a Christian so much as the knowledge that, despite life’s difficulties and uncertainties, and no matter how many spiritual defeats may be along the way, one day he will be made perfect.

God has no unfinished works. The God who saves is the God who justifies, sanctifies and glorifies. The God who begins is the God who completes. Jesus said, “All that the father gives to me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will certainly not cast out” (John 6:37).

• Focuses upon love and not selfishness. Paul wrote, “… just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart…. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ” (verses 7-8).

Joy is produced by a deep, abiding and genuine love for others. Love does not look at others negatively. Love delights in meeting the needs of others. In Eagle we helped rebuild and clean up but we also taught the Bible to the children. Watching teenagers lead the vacation Bible school and reach out to the young children was exciting.

A satisfied, contented person focuses upon the positive and not the negative. His primary focus is others and not himself. He is part of a loving, church family that is making a difference. His eye is firmly set upon the future and not just the difficulties of today. Finally, his life is marked by a deep sense of love and not selfishness. This is the person who experiences deep joy and fulfillment.

Ethan Hansen is pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. He can be reached at ehansen@biglakefaithbible.org