Holding onto the little bit of warmth, I can feel the chill of winter in the air already. Sometimes it is hard for me to enjoy fall when I know colder weather is coming. Isn't that just like us? To struggle with the present and the peace of now, when we know things can change (for better or for worse) at any moment?
Psalms 5:11: “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”
Discouragement, anger, sadness, pain. None of it is meant to be permanent! Why? His favor or delight is life and should lead us to joy. Scripture tells us that joy in the Lord is what we should have, and it's obtained by trusting in Him.
There's a time for repentance, but there's also a time for joy. We need both and God can help us find that flow. We shouldn't laugh so much that we ignore the serious things, but we shouldn't be too serious that we forget to laugh. Ask the Lord to help with both.
Not having joy is being in opposition of His Word and His will. Let God handle the heavy. In fact, the Word says He will defend us. How blessed are we that our Creator is also our Protector!
Trust the Lord with your entire being. In that trust is liberation from trying to carry the heavy. This will lead you to rejoice in His goodness and activate joy in your everyday life.
We’re not going to get this perfect. Jesus knew that, but He became our Savior AND our example because we’re not going to find truth or joy within us. There are going to be seasons of the sorrow. We are going to hurt, unfortunately. We are going to be upset, unsatisfied, insecure, worried...but we are not meant to sit in those feelings forever. God has more for us!
Today, think about what God has done for you. Where would you be right now if it wasn't for His love and grace? Remind yourself that joy doesn't just happen. It comes with trusting and obeying the Lord who made it possible for you to joyfully shout and smile.
