Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Last night I was laying in bed and I could not fall asleep. This verse just kept running through my head. Actually just the first phrase. Be Joyful Always.
I am having a hard time being joyful right now. My plate is full, my cup is running over, I am bursting at the seams and "with joy" is not the phrase I would use.
I just laid there and prayed and tried to fall asleep. I should have just gotten out of bed to write this post because I couldn't get the words out of my head.
I was struggling with the question, "How do you find joy in the stresses of life?"
I know the answer, the answer is easy. "You find that joy in Christ." So why do I struggle with Joy so much?
I realize even though I know the answer, I often go looking for joy in all the wrong places. Life is full of disappointments and I can't just get stuck on the phrase be joyful always. I won't find that constant joy without praying continually. When the disappointments come, I need to pray about them. I need to find Christ in the center of them.
I have so much to be thankful for and often when I get over the stressful times, I look back and think, "Why was I so worked up over something so silly?"
I am stepping away from the computer for awhile today to spend some time in my Bible, and to spend some time in prayer. I am going to find joy in the day.
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7 comments:
so true - it's those fake false - over too quickly - things that try to brain wash us that joy is someplace other than with Christ!
praising God for the stirring in your heart!!
Stef
May God wash you with the water of His Word, renew your mind, and fill you with joy and peace that comes only from Him!
Thanks for sharing your heart today.
If I focus on now, my joy is zapped. I have to focus on Him and where we are headed together. :)
Centered in His word will fill you with joy..however, there are so many times I get so overwhelmed by all the unnecessary things in life that I forget to seek the joy. Thank you for the reminder.
Blessings,
Amy
I'm reading a great book called The Marriage Project with fun assignments you can do with your spouse. One day calls for you and your spouse to pray for one another. I asked my husband to pray for me to be refreshed with a joyful spirit throughout the day.
I so can relate to this post.
~ Wendy
My just turned 9 year old daughter said to me the other day "You know joy and happiness are not the same thing. People look to things to make them happy and then are disappointed when it doesn't last. Joy is a gift from God. We always have it. We just sometimes forget."
I was speechless. Such wisdom that I need to remember.
I am late to comment on this post, but I just found your blog and have been reading back. This one really hit home for me. I haven't had, or found, much joy in my life lately, and the longer I refuse to see the joy, the darker things seem. This was a good wake up call for me, a reminder that we have been instructed to find joy always. Thank you.
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