Joy

Everything is going great, more than great, almost perfect. You have prayed for days like this over and over again. Finally God has answered your prayers!! A few weeks go by, then out of the blue, a medical bill arrives. Your child becomes ill, your job of ten years has been terminated, and you’re homeless, hungry, and broke. This could happen to any of us. You believe you have done everything right according to God, yet you want to blame Him. Why did He allow this to happen? You feel there is no hope, and all joy is gone. But guess what, no one can steal our joy, unless we allow them too. God wants us to have joy, and He gives us joy that surpasses all understanding. Psalm 16:11 says…You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. So, the question is, what do you choose to do with the joy God has given you? Have you allowed someone to rob you of it? What God gives us is for us, who we chose to share it with is up to us. I have decided in my journey called life, I will not, I chose not to let anyone steal my joy because I cherish it, and I have come such a long way to secure my relationship with the man called Jesus.

There were times when I felt that things were the best they could be. I would be up on clouds, then before I could blink I would be wandering in the wilderness, a wilderness that I created. The joy God has supplied me with is what keeps me out of self-created wilderness. We all go through our own wildernesses. Some may be the same, some different, we face many uncertainties in life. With each one I face, I know God will be there with me. I cry, I sweat, I cry, and sweat some more, but my belief in him, is what dries my eyes, and wipes my sweat. Joy! Oh what joy! Knowing it will soon be over.

I may not be able to see him, but I can feel him stirring in my soul, releasing me, elevating me to new heights! James 1:2 says: count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. When God comes to my aid, I can’t help but to give him praise. I praise Him before, during, and most definitely at the end of my trials. His word, tells me I can lean on Him, and trust in Him no matter what I am going through. There is no one, not even those closest to me that can hold a candle to my God. There is no one who will allow me to lean totally on them, and there is no one that can supply all my needs but God. He is my provider, my joy.

My heart cries out to him, I may try to toss and turn trying to think my way out of a tangled web, but He knows what I need, and when I need it the most. I kid you not, no matter the circumstances, no matter what I have done, He is there. My faith directs me, my faith gives me hope, and hope brings me joy.

There are times when I am overwhelmed, I allow the devil to throw darts my way, attempting to do damage to my soul, my spirit, my confidence. The darts weaken my strength, pull me down, and cause me to become angry, doubtful, disobedient to God’s word, and wallowing in self-pity. God does not intend for me to be like this, He steps in, He reminds me this battle is not to be fought alone. Romans 15:13 says 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. With renewed boldness and joy, once more, I go with God, dressed in His armor prepared for battle. I am going into the enemy’s camp, I will take back all he has taken from me.

Joy beyond measurement is mine. Joy, renewed by faith! Joy in knowing, that all things are working together for my good, even when I can’t see what God is doing. Joy of knowing He is my God and loves me for me regardless of my falls, faults, flaws and all!

Hold onto hope, for faith trumps over fear,

Pauline Ross

Here is some extra word for you: Philippians 4:7 Psalm 27:5-7