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Anyone who knows me knows that I am an eternal optimist. I always choose to see the good no matter how much bad there is currently in my life. I always see the good in things. I always choose to have joy amidst the pain. Why? Because what is the alternative? Should I cry, scream and have a pity party when things get tough or should I do as I have been doing and give thanks to God for His sustenance, provision and peace amidst the storm? I have always chosen the latter no matter how tough a situation was in my life and because I have I believe God has honored my faithfulness. There has never been a challenge too great that God wasn’t able to help me get through it and because I have come through them so many times before, it is easy for me to trust that God will work all things out for my good now and in my future to come. That is why I want you to have that same optimism. It is our decision on whether we are filled with peace or filled with worry. God will not force us to choose one over the other because He has given us free will to choose which one we will hold in our hearts. (Psalm 25:1-5) (Deuteronomy 30:19)
My friend no matter what you may be facing I want you to know that it will be well with you in the end, but you must be at peace right now while you are going through that trouble. You have to see the end result as being good while you are still struggling and seeing only the bad. That is what faith is; Seeing with our spiritual eyes what we can’t currently see with our natural eyes. I encourage you to not look at the darkness and feel overwhelmed, but with childlike faith and trust know that your Heavenly Father will make a way for you even when it doesn’t look possible. That is the great thing about God. He is able to do the impossible at exactly the right moment when we need it most. Have an unwavering trust in the Lord and while you are going through the struggles of life dare to keep your peace and joy. Hold on to it no matter how tempted you are to give in or give up. Stay in the fight, dig your heels in and be determined that nothing except victory will be acceptable to you. (Isaiah 45:2-3) (2 Timothy 1:7-9)
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to never lose your zeal for life. Wake up each new day eager to see what new adventures are waiting for you.
ALL THE JOY YOU NEED
Thomas Aquinas once said, “No one can live without joy.” But many people try. And the reason is often simply because they don't know how to be happy! They are so intent on the three P's - power, prosperity and prestige - that they miss out on joy.
Try to imagine this picture. It is a photograph taken by Henri Cartier-Bresson, who pioneered modern photography as an art form during the early decades of the 20th Century. He became known for his photographs of apparent contradictions: pictures that left mysteries unexplained.
One of his famous photographs was shot in a poor section of Spain in the 1930s. The picture depicts a run-down alley surrounded by decaying walls, strewn with rubble randomly stacked in thick piles lying on the street, and riddled with bullet holes dotting gray walls. The setting alone evokes feelings of sadness and despair.
But then...the contradiction. Within the grim alley children are playing. They wear dirty and tattered clothes, as one might expect in such a setting, but like playing children everywhere, they laugh with carefree joy. In the foreground, a tiny boy on crutches hobbles away from two other boys, his face lit up with a broad grin. One boy is laughing so hard he has to hold his side. Others lean on the cracked walls, beaming with delight.
It is easy to spot the contrast - and the point. Joy amidst the rubble of life. Laughter amongst life's ruins.
We cannot avoid pain, however hard we try. But we can avoid joy. We cannot escape hardship and trouble, but we can miss out on much of life's peace and laughter.
If you feel as if you could use more joy, try this:
Spend time daily doing something you enjoy.
Do those things that bring inner peace.
Learn to laugh heartily and frequently.
Cultivate an attitude of hope.
Fill each day with as much love as it can possibly hold.
You'll still have plenty of problems, but through it all, you'll find all the joy you will ever need.
By Steve Goodier
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 103:1-5 “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Proverbs 8:17-21 “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.”
1 Chronicles 28:9-10 “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” Hebrews 12:2-3 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the Joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the Right Hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: STRENGTH FOR THE DAY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem167.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: JESUS IS ENOUGH
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony197.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
