Charles Spurgeon, a great Christian preacher, author, and thinker once said, “Whenever your hope seems to fail you and your joy begins to sink, the best thing to do is take to your knees to pray. By remembering the promise in prayer, hope will be sustained and then joy is sure to spring from it.”

Romans 12:12 in the Bible says, “Rejoice in hope; be patience in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” When we can’t rejoice in our circumstances, we can rejoice in the anticipation of what God is going to do with them, in them, through them, despite them, and because of them. We can hold onto His trustworthy promises. We have hope because we have an everlasting and eternal Father. When trials are upon us, we can fast-track to joy regardless of our circumstances by committing ourselves to prayer.

Whatever is going on in your life today, let me remind you that God has a plan for you, and He knows what is best for you.  He can use your trials and turn them into triumphs. Rejoice in hope. Pray! And be patient during tough times. And you know what?  When Jesus Christ is in control of your life, joy is part of it.  Think of all the people you know who are not joyful and bless them, telling them of your hope.         

This is Luis Palau.