Joy Fights
Have I mentioned I've been drinking in Ann Voskamp's writing lately like a parched desert traveler who has just found water?
My soul has been refreshed and encouraged and I'm thankful for her humble yet brave writing that chooses to spread God's fame.
I feel like God had already been causing me to wrestle with what joy is and how do we fight for it amidst diaper changes and midnight feedings and messy kitchens and piles of laundry and....I could go on and on. It seems there is always something to discourage and dismay, and it's easy to get bogged down with problems, fears, and worries and miss the wonder and joy God provides in each moment.
The more I think about it and ponder it, it seems joy is something we must fight for. It doesn't fall peacefully on us. What falls peacefully upon me is not always good.
It's easy for me to peacefully believe I'm a failure and a hypocrite.
I must fight to believe I'm loved and forgiven and a treasure.
Galatians 3:13-14 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
It's easy for me to peacefully believe there's no point in trying to change.
I must fight to believe GOD creates real change and real hope, and abundant life is not just a wish-dream for those who have had easy lives.
It's easy for me to peacefully believe life has no point.
I must fight to believe our lives are filled with God's purpose.
Matthew 22:37-39: Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
It's easy for me to peacefully believe nobody cares about me.
I must fight to believe I am loved (and it's not all about me).
1 Peter 5:6-8: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Another thing about joy is that it is wrapped in thankfulness. I have known real sorrow and pain and deep sadness. So I don't say the following lightly or as a bandaid to put on someone else's pain:
But joy must thank God for everything. (1 Thess. 5:16: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus)
Ouch.
The first time I heard that after Joseph died, I bristled at the thought and knew in my heart I could never and would never thank Him for taking Joseph away from me.
But four years later I am seeing that a refusal to accept God's providence with thankfulness is a gateway to a lifetime of bitterness.
I'm not saying I'm happy and rejoicing that my child died. But I can be thankful that God in His infinite wisdom gives and takes away, and that his plans and purposes are far beyond my figuring out.
The following verse has offered me a glimpse into God's perspective:
The righteous perish,
and no one takes it to heart;
the devout are taken away,
and no one understands
that the righteous are taken away
to be spared from evil.
I see my own pain and I feel bruised and broken and hurt. God sees my hurt and He cares. But He sees a vastly different picture and I have to trust there is goodness in it. There is mystery involved in much of what we are commanded to do. God doesn't always explain in detail why we are supposed to do such and such.
But I'm learning to trust Him, that His commands really are for my good. That I can be thankful and it doesn't mean I don't love my son. Can I dare to take God at His Word? To obey Him and thank Him even if I know it means pain and a dying to self?
What is the alternative? To be angy and irate and bitter that no-one understands how I have a right to be bitter? I want to choose joy.
Lord, help me to choose joy today.
My soul has been refreshed and encouraged and I'm thankful for her humble yet brave writing that chooses to spread God's fame.
I feel like God had already been causing me to wrestle with what joy is and how do we fight for it amidst diaper changes and midnight feedings and messy kitchens and piles of laundry and....I could go on and on. It seems there is always something to discourage and dismay, and it's easy to get bogged down with problems, fears, and worries and miss the wonder and joy God provides in each moment.
The more I think about it and ponder it, it seems joy is something we must fight for. It doesn't fall peacefully on us. What falls peacefully upon me is not always good.
It's easy for me to peacefully believe I'm a failure and a hypocrite.
I must fight to believe I'm loved and forgiven and a treasure.
Galatians 3:13-14 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
It's easy for me to peacefully believe there's no point in trying to change.
I must fight to believe GOD creates real change and real hope, and abundant life is not just a wish-dream for those who have had easy lives.
Lamentations 3:21-23 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I must fight to believe our lives are filled with God's purpose.
Matthew 22:37-39: Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
It's easy for me to peacefully believe nobody cares about me.
I must fight to believe I am loved (and it's not all about me).
1 Peter 5:6-8: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Another thing about joy is that it is wrapped in thankfulness. I have known real sorrow and pain and deep sadness. So I don't say the following lightly or as a bandaid to put on someone else's pain:
But joy must thank God for everything. (1 Thess. 5:16: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus)
Ouch.
The first time I heard that after Joseph died, I bristled at the thought and knew in my heart I could never and would never thank Him for taking Joseph away from me.
But four years later I am seeing that a refusal to accept God's providence with thankfulness is a gateway to a lifetime of bitterness.
I'm not saying I'm happy and rejoicing that my child died. But I can be thankful that God in His infinite wisdom gives and takes away, and that his plans and purposes are far beyond my figuring out.
The following verse has offered me a glimpse into God's perspective:
The righteous perish,
and no one takes it to heart;
the devout are taken away,
and no one understands
that the righteous are taken away
to be spared from evil.
I see my own pain and I feel bruised and broken and hurt. God sees my hurt and He cares. But He sees a vastly different picture and I have to trust there is goodness in it. There is mystery involved in much of what we are commanded to do. God doesn't always explain in detail why we are supposed to do such and such.
But I'm learning to trust Him, that His commands really are for my good. That I can be thankful and it doesn't mean I don't love my son. Can I dare to take God at His Word? To obey Him and thank Him even if I know it means pain and a dying to self?
What is the alternative? To be angy and irate and bitter that no-one understands how I have a right to be bitter? I want to choose joy.
Lord, help me to choose joy today.
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