Joy In The Middle Of The Mess

I love this quote.  I’ve been asking God to soak my soul with its truth... Asking Him to show me how to have His joy in the midst of sorrow and pain. Because sometimes life is very hard, and pain very intense.  How in the world is it possible to endure the sorrows, challenges, disappointments, and pain of this life, and yet walk drenched with His joy? 

His joy is a God-created, divine gift.  It was paid for by the blood of our Savior and provided to us by the Holy Spirit.  (Galatians 5:22)  It can’t be self-manufactured or whipped into an excited frenzy. We must open wide our arms and choose to receive it. 

And there’s a process in the choosing.

It requires faith. 

Faith... 
That His word is true.

That His words and character never change.

That He really does have a plan and a purpose for our lives.

That His love for us is real and He 
wants us to know Him intimately.

It requires making a choice.
A choice... 
To walk confidently as His daughter. 
To seek Him out and talk with Him all day long.

To praise Him in the middle of the mess and pain.

To place our thoughts on His goodness and His truths.
To be intentional about an intimate relationship with Him. 
To love the hope-filled truth of His word and allow the testing of
our faith to work perseverance and maturity in us.

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.  Let  perseverance finish its work so that 

you may be mature and complete, 

not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 


Do you find it difficult or easy to walk with His joy?
When life's difficulties, monotonies, challenges, 
and sorrows invade your days... what do 
you do to embrace His joy?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Please leave a comment! 

 

Living in His grace,

  Mary

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