My favorite song of the year sparks joy despite our suffering.

It powers your spirit through daily struggles to victory.

Joy is not natural or easy when pain and suffering pile up.

But, an artist like MAJOR shines four bright lights leading the way through suffering.

1. Joy in Forgiveness

I’m just a man who’s lost some things and left with memories
I’m just a man who’s growing older
I’ve made some friends along the way, I’ve made some enemies
But I pray they’re all good in their soul

Praying for your enemies frees you and your foes from hate and anger. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:44-45

2. Peace in Faith

Has the devil stolen your peace? Last summer, a foster parent approached me after a devotional I gave as camp pastor at Skiin’ With The Galilean at Lake Athens, TX. With tears streaming down her face, she asked for prayer after losing her 55-year-old husband suddenly and unexpectedly a month earlier. She and her five foster children held hands with me in a circle, and each prayed one at a time. 9-year-old Marcus was the last to pray, quoting this Scripture, “In me you have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But, take heart, I have overcome the world. Amen.” I was speechless. His foster mom, Tina, says, “He wants to be a preacher.”

3. Rewrite Your Story

You shouldn’t let yourself get tangled up in worry
‘Cause that kind of living takes its toll
You gotta take that pencil back, rewrite your story
And write the best one ever told

All over me, you want my peace, but you won’t get it
I hear that devil steady knockin’ at my door
I’m just a man who’s lost some things and left with memories
Still, I believe there’s so much more

‘Cause I’ve got joy in the battle
I’ve got joy in my victory
I keep my eyes to the Heavens
So my joy never slips from me

The famous management guru Peter Drucker found joy and overcame suffering by rewriting his story to age 95 when he died. In a November 15, 2005 column, USA Today reporter Bruce Rosenstein asked Peter Drucker what technique we can use to rewrite our story. The famous guru said, “Ask yourself, ‘WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW?’ and ‘WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES?’

4. Move Forward

Yeah, I got joy in the battle
I got joy on this journey set for me
Oh, and when they see me coming
They gon’ see I got this joy all over me

have you ever seen a man dance with hell quick on his tracks?
Ain’t looking back (yeah, yeah)
I’ve seen a lady scare the devil with the way she moves her feet
Now, look at that

Come on, and sing it with me
Have you ever seen a man dance with hell quick on his tracks?
Ain’t looking back, no, no
That pretty lady scared the devil with the way she moves her feet
Now, look at that

I feel it all over me

Perhaps you cannot choose natural strength while suffering. But you can choose to be joyful. And when you do that, strength follows. This joy doesn’t depend on circumstances. It comes from God. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10. It’s why the song says, “I keep my eyes to the heavens.”

Joy in the battle
I’ve got joy in my victory
I keep my eyes to the Heavens
So my joy never slips from me

Yeah, I got joy in the battle
I got joy on this journey set for me
Oh, and when they see me coming
They gon’ see I got this joy all over me

‘Cause I’ve got
Joy in my battles
Joy in my victories, yeah
When I keep my eyes to the Heavens
My joy never slips from me

What carries you through suffering?