My own journey is a journey toward joy.  Not the kind of joy that evades issues, glosses over problems, smiles like Pollyanna, and says everything will turn out alright.  In Philippians, the apostle Paul has another kind of joy in mind.  He speaks of a joy that comes through experience.  It comes to a person who faces the worst that the world can throw his or her way and still feels inner peace.

Dr. Arthur Gossip was a great Scottish preacher whose wife died suddenly.  The next Sunday, Dr. Gossip, in the mire of a great grief, stood up and preached to his congregation on the topic, "But When Life Tumbles In... What Then?"  He ended that sermon that emerged from his own journey like this:

"I don't think you need to be afraid of life.  Our hearts are very frail, and there are places where the road is very steep and very lonely.  But we have a wonderful God.  And, as Paul puts it, what can separate us from His love?  No, not death.  For standing in the roaring of the Jordan, cold to the heart with its dreadful chill, and very conscious of the terror of its rushing, I too, like hopeful, can call back to you who one day in your turn will have to cross it.  Be of good cheer my brothers and sisters, for I feel the bottom, and it is sound."

Paul's joy was based not on outward circumstances but on inner peace.  In the very jaws of a death sentence after being attacked, jailed, and ostracized, he said it sixteen different times, "Rejoice... I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content... I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  (Philippians 4;11, 13).  Friend of Dial Hope, claim that faith and believe it!

Prayer:  Loving God, some days we glide through life like rollerblades on fast asphalt, while on other days life looks grim and tumbles in.  Spread your mantle of inner joy and peace over us so that when life looks grim, dark, and hopeless, we can stand up and walk redeemed by your son, Jesus Christ.  We pray in his name.  Amen.