"You may have sung this song like I did while growing up: 'I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart. I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart to stay!'
That's fine, but something goes wrong with this song. 'And I'm so happy, so very happy! I've got the love of Jesus in my heart. And I'm so happy, so very happy! I've got the love of Jesus in my heart!'
The truth is, it is possible to be filled with joy and still not be described as 'happy.' Sometimes, we're just plain sad, not only down in our hearts, but down to our toes. Have you found that to be true? Have you experienced joy in the midst of great sadness?
The Bible says, 'A joyful heart is good medicine' (Proverbs 17:22, NASB). As we savor the joy we have in Christ, we feel the healing power of that medicine. In fact, our joy should be as consistent as God is. It doesn't have to be tied to the turbulent conditions of our feelings and moods.
Our joy is grounded in God. It flows from Him and back to Him.
Joy is not something we can generate with positive thinking or a bit of humor. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit's work in our inner lives.
Joy shines forth from the life of the true believer, no matter how dark the circumstances.
Joy in God deserves our constant, courageous pursuit. Will you seek God with this expectation and lay hold of Him for this reward?" (taken from The One Year Book of Hope by Nancy Guthrie)
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."James 1:2-4, 12
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Joy
My thoughts are turned to "true joy" today, on what would have been baby Grace's due date.
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5 comments:
Amen!
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
James 1:2-4 - The Message
I love this version for my quiet time.
I feel so sorry for the both of you and am praying like crazy...but God had to have a reason for why He made little Alethia and Grace die. On this world, we'll always wonder why these trials come, but God never said it would be easy here, and it will all be worthwhile someday in Heaven, and we'll know His reason. Never stop believing that He will hold us together.
In response to your comment, "A VERY happy Grandma," I wouldn't say that God "made little Alethia and Grace die."
Death is a result of living in a fallen, sinful world. God did allow my little children to pass away and I would agree with you that He does have a plan and a purpose for each person's life and He also has a reason for allowing trials to take place.
You are right--it will all certainly be revealed one day when we see Him face to face!
May we have an unconditional joy and trust in Him.
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