Choosing Joy

"Rejoice in the Lord always."  Philippians 4:4

I read this verse recently, and it stood out to me.  My life currently is very simple due to my health situation.  In particular - my numb feet from neuropathy.  A good portion of my day revolves around various treatments.  Some days are very dull and boring.  I don't always "feel" overflowing with joy.

But as I pondered this verse, I realized that joy is a "choice," daily, hourly, moment by moment.  I can experience the Lord's joy even when I'm going through hard times.  His joy is available to me in any hardship, any suffering, any adversity, any discouragement.

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."  Nehemiah 8:10

Every morning when I get up, before I even get out of bed - I speak out some of the Lord's promises to me and ask for them for my day.  This verse is one of them.  I ask the Lord to fill me with His joy - which is my strength for the day. 

As I go about my day, I consciously look for things to express my joy in the Lord.  When I get busy, I try to stop and focus on thanking the Lord for things in my day - which releases joy.  I've come to understand that joy isn't something that just hits us - it's something we choose and work at.  And the benefits are awesome! 

I recently watched the movie "The Jesus Revolution" that was on TV here.  It was made in 2023.  It was a trip down memory lane.  While it was happening in Calif. and other parts of the US - we were experiencing it in Afghanistan, and later in Amsterdam.  Those were special days!  And one of the characteristics of it was, you guessed it - JOY.  There was such overwhelming joy in the hearts of all the young people coming to know Jesus!  It was contagious.  Many worship songs that we sing today came out of that time of spiritual revolution.  I found my self praying for it to come again!

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."  Psalm 90:14

"Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence."  Psalm 21:6

When we walk in the "joy of the Lord," everything in life takes on a different perspective.  What a blessed gift His joy is!

One Cold Day at a Time

My heart sends warm greetings, but outside we are having freezing cold, wet winter days.  Definitely not my favorite thing!  I find the winter weather really hard to bear and discouraging.  I think one reason it's so hard is that I'm dealing with pain from my recent treatment.  The cold weather seems to accentuate the pain.  I was talking to the Lord about it - telling him I didn't know if I could cope with all the winter days ahead.  He lovingly reminded me that I am supposed to take it one day at a time......not days, weeks, or months at a time.  I know that, of course, but in the midst of these cold days it was easy to forget and focus on all that's ahead.

My part is to simply ask the Lord for grace and strength for one cold day at a time.  If I try to cope with all the days ahead, I would probably collapse under the load of discouragement that the cold days bring.  It was a good reminder of an important principle.

"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."  Matthew 6:34

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken."  Psalm 62:1,2

"The Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him."  Psalm 32:10

"The Lord is good.  A stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him."  Nahum 1:7 

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear."  Psalm 46:1

"How priceless is your unfailing love!  Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings."  Psalm 36:7

When I'm struggling with the cold or the pain, I find it helpful to speak out all the things Jesus is to me.  It's a helpful and powerful reminder!  He is so faithful.