I wrote Joy Express because I’d observed some of my friends and family experience tremendous hardships and tragedy. I was so inspired by the faith demonstrated in these situations. The joy expressed by these folks, even when they couldn’t feel happy, was such an inspirational message. I was reminded of the ninth chapter of John, when Jesus was walking down the street and saw a blind man. His disciples asked, 1-2 “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?”
3-5 Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. (MSG)
I want people to know that it doesn’t matter why something happens, or how, but our focus is to be on the WHO. Whether we cause the problem ourselves, or it happens to us out of an attack, act of nature, or just life in general, our focus should be on what God can do. We can come back from anything through the redemption of Christ. We can experience joy in our hardships because of Who He Is.
In Joy Express, Tracy always says to Scott and Bailey, “Stuff always happens to y’all.” Who doesn’t feel like that sometimes? I walked them through some pretty tough stuff, and tried to demonstrate that it’s not always easy, but God is with us, and ready to carry us through. I was also inspired by the family and friend support that rallied around the people that were suffering, and portrayed that with Bailey and Scott’s family. I hope readers will also be inspired to put their faith in God during hard times.
Jody Day
