Joy in Tough Times

Habbakuk 3:17-19 says

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.

This passage presupposes a situation -  a bleak future where failure and emptiness is the reality. The writer decides beforehand how he will react when this particular scenario unfolds. In that day, he will choose to rejoice. Literally it means he will jump for joy. In the face of devastation how in the world can anyone even have the strength to raise their hands, let alone jump? Disasters have the ability to not just dampen the spirit but also create weak knees.

It may seem to be an over-reach. After all we are just talking about livelihood here. If compared to almost a direct one to one correspondence the writer could probably just be talking about a possible financial crisis. No sickness or death is mentioned at least on the part of the people. But in reality, how many people have been brought to despair mainly because they have lost their fortunes? How easy is it to not be fazed by the prospect of having all your assets turn to zero? For many people, their possession is their life.

That scenario could aptly be described as a disaster. How can one possible decide beforehand that should such events occur he will have the strength to jump for joy? Is it denial? Is it insanity? Is naiveté?

What's the explanation?

It seems the answer lies in the question. It’s a matter of a pre-determined response. It could be that the future was irrelevant. Future events that is. The response to both would be the same. That means our actions in the future will not be reactions but responses. Reactions indication a particular action that was generated out of a particular action. Being proactive in this case means having control of our emotions. It means our joy is not dependent on what happens around us.

How is that possible?

It is possible because our strength to rise above comes from God. When our hearts falter and our physical strength is depleted . God gives us the strength to stand up and jump. His strength not ours make it possible. Its not by our will, effort or self-determination. By his strength alone is it possible.

We may not be able to stop or change the bad things that happen to us. But we can change the way they affect us. The events may be devastating but we can choose not to be devastated. He is our strength. He is our hope.