Although Christmas is supposed to be a time of festivity, that isn’t always the reality—even for Christians. Here is a reflection I wrote on Christmas Eve, as I looked back on my most challenging year so far.

The tension that marks the life of a believer is the opposing pull between suffering and joy, for these are two sides of the same coin.

In John Newton’s hymn “I Asked the Lord that I Might Grow,” the answer that God gives to prayers for an increase in faith, is by exposing the indwelling sin of one’s heart—almost as if to the point of death.

If God wants what’s best for His children, why would He subject them to so much pain? Isn’t it enough for one to be forgiven of his/her sins—past, present, and future? That’s because it is through the backdrop of suffering that one learns true joy.

If God wants what’s best for His children, why would He subject them to so much pain?

Joy is not the attainment of happiness, but the inward delight of the soul in God alone—regardless of circumstance. And this can only happen when worldly delights are shattered like glass.

This can be best seen in Christ, who was born to live a perfect life and die on the cross as atonement for our sins.

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬)