Whatever trial you’re experiencing today, cling to God. He will restore your joy as you serve Him faithfully.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed… (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

I’ll never forget being awakened one night by a call from one of our best friends at church. She was sobbing uncontrollably. So Deb and I got on the phone together and she told us that her husband—one of my very best friends and a leader in our church—was abandoning his family and running off with a 19-year-old girl. 

I got up immediately, went to their home, and tried to talk sense into him. But he was determined, so he left. Over the next several weeks, Deb and I counseled and comforted this precious lady. And I remember in our living room one day she looked at us and said, “I don’t know how I’ll ever be happy again.” 

I looked right at her and said, “I don’t know exactly how either. But I promise you that if you will give your life to the Lord’s service, God will restore your joy.”

So she devoted herself to raising her family, working, and serving at the church. And she met a man and God gave them love for one another. The time came when they stood at an altar together and I was able to remind her at that time of the promise that one day, you’ll be happy again.

You may be going through a rough time today. But whatever it is, you can cling to that promise as well. Remember that no matter what, God will restore your joy as you serve Him faithfully. It may take time, but He’ll do it!