Choose Joy
Brothers and sisters, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we will ENDURE hard trials on this side of glory. We can expect that, but we can also expect the Holy Spirit within us to help us ENDURE just like Jesus did. Remember, no suffering on this side of glory compares to the glory and JOY revealed when we see Jesus. NOTHING:
NO SICKNESS
HEARTACHE
NO DISAPPOINTMENT
NO DEATH
On this side of glory, Jesus said to count it ALL JOY. James 1:2 (ESV) Count it all joy my brothers (and sisters) when you encounter trials of various kinds.
But how do you choose joy when your heart is heavy, you feel broken, and you can't think about tomorrow because today is all you can handle?
Surrender to God. Surrendering to God is an act of humility, it’s admitting that you can’t and acknowledging that He can.
Trust God. Trust that He has a plan for you. Trust that He wants His best for you.
Your weeping may ENDURE for a night, but JOY comes in the morning. Psalms 30:5b.
Remember God's time is not our timing, so your night might seem long. Like being married ten years before God opens your womb to bear fruit. And then you deliver your precious baby six months later, at two pounds three ounces, and with lots of complications. Yes, the night can be very long.
Mighty Savior may your joy be our strength each and every day as we commit to trusting you with ALL our heart. Your way is perfect and when you have tried us we shall come forth as pure gold, amen!!
But joy does come in the morning; there were many moments I was afraid and didn't know what would happen. Still, I held to God's unchanging hand. Now I praise Him, that two pound 3 ounce baby is 26 years old and God is doing great and mighty things in and through her life. I still have to trust Him moment by moment and even when things don't look good or feel good, I remember God is good.
Yes, you may be in a bad place or going through a hard time. Yes, your struggle IS real. But so is God and so are His promises!
To choose Joy, trust that where you are right now is not where God intends to leave you!
Cling to Him, and as you keep moving forward, watch for His blessings in your life. Stay prayerful. Keep Praising.
Family Teresa and I encourage you right this moment, "choose JOY!" Philippians 4:4, says rejoice and again I say rejoice.
Important: If you are battling depression please seek professional help. Never suffer in silence, tell someone, ask for & get help, you are not alone.
BE EQUIPPED:
5 Practical Ways to Choose Joy
Click to view & download the 4x6 printable.
Find Joy
Dear Family,
Are you feeling the Christmas spirit? Or, do you feel more like Scrooge than you care to admit? The Christmas season can be filled with visual & emotional triggers.
Some take us to places in our memories that are warm and cozy and some do the opposite. Others cast a shadow that stalks the perimeter of our day (or life.) It’s there and even though you can’t see it it’s close enough to shade almost every encounter. Close enough to that we feel disconnected from the moment we are experiencing or the relationships we are a part of. Making it hard to engage. Hard to enjoy what we have.
In part 1 of this 3 part series, Jannie and I want to talk about “Joy.” Specifically, we want to remind you of your ability to find it, challenge you to choose it, and encourage you to share it.
IMPORTANT: Please note that Jannie & are “coaches”, we are not counselors. If you are battling depression please seek professional help. Never suffer in silence, tell someone, ask for & get help, you are not alone.
Roman's 15:13 (NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Remember, “It’s in there!” the old Ragu commercial (look it up) used to say. Well joy, unlike happiness, is inside.
We all enjoy being happy and there’s nothing wrong with that. But, it’s important to distinguish between the two and understand that our happiness is swayed by and dependent on external factors like events, situations, people, places or things. (Sandra L Brown, MA Psychology Today)
But family, as Christians as we grow in our relationship with God we can grow in our understanding of the power instilled in us through Christ’s death and resurrection…
Joy doesn’t have to be found but rather accepted, because it’s already inside you. But, how do we do this when we are tired, hurt, angry, suffering, or unhappy? Joy does not displace those feelings but lightens their load. Joy helps us to praise him through our circumstances.
Roman’s 15:13 says it comes “as we trust God” ...PAUSE, think about just that. As.we.trust.God.
So, what is blocking your joy? Do you trust God with it?
Not just in your understanding of what you want or don’t want. But do you trust Him enough to surrender to the outcome He has planned, that you may not see nor understand?
Remember, if you want to find joy, trust God.
Roman's 15:13 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Thanks-full
Family, friends, food, football, fun…
We know today means a lot of different things to many people. We pray your day is thanks-full!
We’d love to hear from you. Share in the comment section below something/someone you are thankful for.
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Diligently Seek Him
Dear Jesus, we need you right now and we are trusting you that you are at work in our lives for your glory, honor, and praise.
We trust you with ALL our heart and we will not lean on our own understanding.
We stand with our brothers and sisters who are struggling to believe and we ask you right now to strengthen and encourage them in their hearts as only you can, in your name we pray, amen!!!
Dear brothers and sisters, don't stop believing what God has spoken to your hearts whether it has been:
ONE HOUR
ONE DAY
ONE YEAR
OR LONGER
Remember…God is a rewarder of those who don't stop seeking Him and believe all that He has declared over their life, in His Word, will come to pass.
Have faith...trust Him. Show faith…diligently. Activate faith…seek Him. Let this be your first response to the desire/need to “do something.”
Yes, your circumstances may be hard… but don’t give up!
Today seek Him while He may be found, call on Him while He is near!!!
The Thorn In My Side
Brothers & Sisters,
Graphic courtesy of YouVersion
I encourage you to remain confident in God and faithful that ALL things truly work together for the good of those who love Him. Surrender to His will and plan for your life, 24/7/365. Yes, even when it’s hard. Today, I’m sharing a writing that my Mighty Savior (MS) gave me when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS.)
There is nothing like “a thorn in the side” to expose your mortality and reveal the limitations of your flesh.
I was diagnosed with MS in January 2010, since then, the limitations of my flesh have served as a constant reminder that this life is temporary. That it should be appreciated for the things that bring eternal rewards. Embracing an eternal perspective helps me to focus on what matters most… “relationships.”
Since my diagnosis my faith has increased and my relationship with God has been strengthened. My family has always been important to me, however, now I treasure my time with them even more. Loving people has always been the goal of my heart.
It is too easy to get distracted by day-to-day business. Too easy to forget to focus time and attention on relationships. Now I see the expense of not taking time to cultivate and develop a relationship with God and people. Treasuring people, taking time to make an eternal difference in someone’s life that’s important, that’s what we are created for.
Gratitude turns what we have into enough. Resisting the urge to focus on my limitations allows me to stay engaged with eternal weightier matters. No, it is not easy! But, each new day affords me a privilege and opportunity to use the resources that I do have to improve the quality of life for someone else. Perseverance and prayer have been the keys that help me inspire others to make an impact for eternity.
Life is short. Live on purpose.
So while this “thorn in my side,” painful, every day I choose to live on purpose for the Kingdom. Because…
my MIGHTY SAVIOR “MS”
is greater than
the diagnosis “MS”
I choose to inspire others to be motivated and to live with an eternal perspective. To encourage them to take the time to: be kind, to listen, to mentor, to pray with and for someone, to teach someone some of your life lessons.
As has been said, “if life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”
Just remember, you must choose, “how sweet to make the lemonade.”
The “thorn in my side” causes me to treasure each day I am given to make a difference for eternity! I am truly grateful for the journey that I am on.
What about you, how are you using the thorn in your side to make an eternal difference?