Joy

 

This has been a difficult year for me. I started fighting an infection on Father's Day which they treated with tons of antibiotics. The antibiotics caused a severe fungal infection but never cleared the bacterial infection. Six months later and I am still fighting these infections. How does one not lose joy in the midst of the suffering? Living in pain daily, losing independence, struggling with mobility? Where is there joy in that? 

God's Word states, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2-3

Our circumstances do not control our joy. My joy is not found in my ability to walk or have a day without pain. Those are my circumstances. Joy is found in our firm belief and intimate relationship with God. When I am spending time with God, my heart knows true joy. Joy is not an emotion. Joy is a gift from God: a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), 

"…but I [Jesus] will see you [The Disciples] again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:22 When I read this verse of scripture the lyrics to Old Church Choir by Zach Williams sweep through my heart. I have been saved by God's grace. Because God chose me, I will have joy indescribable. Though life circumstances and a persistent enemy will try to quelch my joy, they will not succeed.

Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth as a vulnerable baby. He was tempted by satan. He was betrayed. He faced an agonizing and painful death. He did all of this so that we might know joy everlasting that no words can do justice. 

If you find yourself in a tough season, remember that you are not alone my friend. God is with you always and He won't allow anything to steal your joy. Please feel free to share your prayer requests and praises in the comments section. 

Prayer:

Papa God, Thank You for Your never ending presence in our lives. Thank You for the gift of Your indescribable, indestructible joy. No matter what valley we are wandering through like a lost sheep nor what mountain we're struggling to climb, we trust that You are not only with us but will use it to grow our joy. Amen!

Faith

When you hear the word faith what comes to your mind? Please feel free to interact in the comments.

Faith is believing in things that cannot be seen but still choosing to trust. For Christians, faith is trusting in God's love for us even when we are unable to see His hands at work in our lives. We trust in His great love for us. He sent His only Son Jesus to bridge the separation sin caused between us: His people and Him. That divide is gone!

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines faith as a firm belief in something for which there is no proof and as belief, trust in, and loyalty to God. 

A Biblical verse that helps describe Faith in a way we can grasp is found in Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV  "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."

Faith is standing firm in what we believe because we know that God always keeps His promises. He proclaimed everything into being: the land, sky, waters, trees, animals, and humans. None of that was visible until He created it. He provided manna to the Israelites. They couldn't see it until it appeared but they had faith He would deliver it. 

God had promised the world a Messiah. Many saw Him but some missed the boat because they couldn't see how a tiny babe, born in a manger, with a messed up lineage, could be the Savior. Because they expected a king or a warrior, they didn't see Jesus. They didn't have faith which included the Jewish religious leaders.

How sad to miss the greatest gift ever given to you because you couldn't trust that Jesus was Lord! I certainly don't want to miss out on God's love and grace. Because of this, I will choose to have faith in God's immense love for me and trust that even if I can't see His hands at work that I can trust that He is working all things out for my good.

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3

Prayer: Papa God, Thank you for being as real as the very air we breathe. When we are in a valley and struggling with what life is throwing at us, help us to trust that You are in charge and fighting our battles so that good things can be done in our lives and You can be glorified. Amen!