That question stopped me in my tracks.
It came from a deeply emotional interview between Anderson Cooper and Stephen Colbert. They were talking about grief—about loss, about the hard, heartbreaking things in life—and Colbert, said something almost unthinkable: “I love the thing I most wish had not happened.” He went on to talk about how his suffering shaped him, deepened him, and even strangely made him grateful.
That kind of joy—the kind that grows out of pain—doesn’t make sense to the world. But it’s the kind of joy that Scripture speaks of over and over again. It’s the kind of joy that doesn’t deny hardship, but somehow shines through it. It’s what I call Unshakeable Joy.
I saw this same joy come to life while watching the movie The Unbreakable Boy. The film tells the true story of Austin, a boy born with brittle bone disease and later diagnosed with autism. His life is filled with daily challenges most of us can’t imagine. But what stands out the most in Austin’s story isn’t his pain—it’s his joy. A joy that doesn’t just carry him—it transforms everyone around him. His father. His classmates. His teachers. It’s a joy that can’t be explained by logic or circumstances. It’s a joy that comes from somewhere deeper.
Watching Austin reminded me of a moment in my own life—a strange, sacred kind of moment. I was on a stretcher in the back of an ambulance after a major accident. I was hurting, unsure of what came next. But I remember smiling. My friend looked at me, confused, and asked, “What are you thinking about?” I told her, “A song.” She laughed, “What song?” And I said, “That old nursery rhyme... you know—'The head bone’s connected to the neck bone...’” She looked at me like I was crazy. “Why would you be thinking about that after almost dying?” I just shrugged and said, “I don’t know... it brought me joy.”
And that’s the point. Joy, real joy, unshakeable joy—it’s not logical. It’s not tidy. It’s not born out of perfect circumstances. It’s born out of something eternal.
The Apostle Paul puts it this way in 2 Corinthians 4:8–9:
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Paul knew what it was to suffer. But he also knew what it was to fix his eyes on Jesus—to look beyond the temporary pain to the eternal promise. He writes, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (v.17)
That’s where joy grows—in the shift.
When we stop looking at what’s seen and start focusing on what’s unseen.
When we stop chasing temporary happiness and start anchoring ourselves in God’s presence, promises, and purpose.
Maybe you’re going through something right now that you never would’ve chosen. Maybe, like Stephen Colbert said, there’s something in your life that you most wish had not happened. But what if—even there—especially there—God was forming joy? What if you could look back and say, “That pain changed me. It drew me closer to God. It helped me love deeper, live freer, and see with new eyes.”
What if joy wasn’t something you waited for—but something God was offering you right now?
Unshakeable joy isn’t found in what changes.
It’s found in the One who never does.
So this week, choose to look past what’s temporary.
Choose to fix your eyes on Jesus.
And find joy in His presence.
His promises.
His purpose for your life.
May you discover a joy that doesn’t just carry you—
But changes the world around you.
Blessings,
Pastor Alex
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Reflection Question:
What’s something in your life that was painful—but shaped you in a way you’re now grateful for?
Let me know in the comments, or share this post with someone who needs a reminder: Joy is possible, even here.
—
Reflection Question:
What’s something in your life that was painful—but shaped you in a way you’re now grateful for?
Let me know in the comments, or share this post with someone who needs a reminder: Joy is possible, even here.
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CROSSROADS CHURCH
Discovering God is a fresh look at how God is moving in our lives. Rooted in the Crossroads Church community, we reflect on sermons, share stories, and explore everyday moments where God invites us to grow. Join us as we take steps toward Him together. Learn more at www.wearecrossroads.church.
Discovering God is a fresh look at how God is moving in our lives. Rooted in the Crossroads Church community, we reflect on sermons, share stories, and explore everyday moments where God invites us to grow. Join us as we take steps toward Him together. Learn more at www.wearecrossroads.church.
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