[5 Steps To:] JOY 

(John 3:27-30 & 2 Cor. 12:8-10)

1. I can take joy in trials because It Did Not Take My God By Surprise. 

- God is all knowing, so nothing catches Him off guard

- Knowing we were going to face trials, He prepares ahead of us getting there

2. My God Has Provided All I Need to overcome the situation. 

- This is scriptural “He has provided” and that means it is done

- Not just a way thru, but His very essence of who He is operates inside you

John 3:30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

(Greek: auxano) "to grow or increase," effect of the work of God; become greater. (Greek: elattoo) Decrease: "make less or inferior, in quality, position, authority, popularity or dignity;"

3. I can look at the situation and Thank God For The Things He Has Already Done. 

- If He has done it before He can do it again

- When we focus on what He has done, we begin to focus on Him.

- When we focus on Him, the troubles seem so very small.

4. When The Devil tells you about your short coming, it just Points You To God. 

- When the devil says you are poor, you say God is my provider and I am rich. 

- When the devil says you are sick, you say God is my healer and I am healed. 

- When the devil says you’re worthless, you say God designed me with purpose.

2 Corinthians 12:10b For when I am weak, then I am strong.

(Greek: astheneo) Diseased, weak, sick. (Greek: dunatos) Ability, Able: signifies "powerful."

5. Struggles Melt In The Sight Of God and I can rest in the greatness of God.

- Like I said previously our troubles are nothing compared to God

- The last verse can be reworded to say When I am (diseased, weak, or sick) then I am (able / powerful) because God in me