“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” — James 1:12
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Former U.S. women’s national soccer team player Lauren Holiday, wife of NBA champion Jrue Holiday, was at the top of her game when she retired. She had just won two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup when she decided to step away from the game. Shortly after retiring, Lauren received news that she had a brain tumor at the same time she found out she was pregnant with their first child.
Lauren’s tumor was removed after she gave birth to their healthy daughter, Jrue Tyler. After having brain surgery, Lauren faced months of recovery with a loss of vision in one of her eyes. That’s not to mention she had a newborn baby to take care of.
A few months after the birth of their daughter and the removal of her tumor, she posted a photo of their daughter on Instagram explaining the joy she had experienced through her health scare: “I memorized scripture and some days my faith felt unshakable and others I was scared to death,” she wrote. “Every time I see this smile, I’m reminded that joy does come in the morning. Maybe not the next day, maybe not even the next month but it comes. I can’t imagine what heaven will be like if this is the joy I get to experience on earth. Psalm 30:5.”
Despite her circumstances and the trial she faced, Lauren was able to find joy in the those moments and persevere under trial. That’s exactly what the Lord has called us all to do. In times of trial, we are called to persevere and find joy amid the storm: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3).
The Lord wants us to consider it all joy through our storms. We may not always be happy with our circumstances, and we may even want to question what is happening to us, but we have to find joy in it. There is joy in every circumstance, and finding joy enables us to see the other side. The Lord promises us perseverance through our trials and He is strengthening us through the storm.
— Madison Thacker
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