|
No matter the trials, the setbacks or the struggles that come our way our
countenance should remain steadfastly at peace because we already know
that we will come out of every negative situation better than we were
before it. Knowing that every struggle serves a purpose should cause us
to remain joyful, hopeful and have a quiet confidence that all things will
work together for our good in the end. Having and keeping a joy filled
life has nothing to do with how easy life is at any particular moment.
Being joyful is a lifestyle choice. It is a conscious decision that one
makes that no matter what comes their way, they will choose to look at the
good, they will thank God for their every blessing and they will have
faith that no matter what comes their way, they will come out of it better
than they were before.
Staying in peace is a lot easier to do when faced with the alternative.
Worrying about a problem does nothing to bring about a better or quicker
resolution to the problem, but when we stay in faith and keep an attitude
of Joy and Peace then we will find resolutions come in ways that we never
imagined. We must remember that it is up to us how we look at life. God
has given us the choice to either have unconditional trust or unconditional
doubt. We can go through life questioning or we can go through it
trusting. We can go through life being at peace or we can go through it
in worry. For me it's always been easier to trust, to be at peace and to
be filled with His Joy that is available to all who seek the Lord wholeheartedly.
Be encouraged to have a trusting attitude towards the Lord with your life.
He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. The Lord may not be
early in answering our prayers, but He is never late. The Lord will
always perfect that which concerns us. Our job is to stay in peace no
matter what the outcome looks like right now. As long as we have breath
within our being then our story isn't finished and our journey hasn't yet
ended. Remain in joy, remain in peace and continually and steadfastly
trust the Lord all the days of your life. You will go through life much
easier and you will enjoy life much more when you do.
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to keep Joy at the
center of your life no matter the trials or struggles that are in your path.
A WAY TO FIND ENJOYMENT
At one time, Bangkok television aired the American situation comedy
LaVerne and Shirley. For whatever reason, officials there believed that a
disclaimer was necessary for the Thailand audience, so this subtitle was
added to each show: “The two women depicted in the following episode are
from an insane asylum.”
Personally, I'm thankful there is a little silliness in the world. And I
don't mind not acting like everybody else. Like the “irrepressible”
educator and speaker Leo Buscaglia once said: “I don't mind if people
think I'm crazy. In fact, I think it's great! It gives me tremendous
latitude for behavior.”
Buscaglia knew how to laugh. And I think knowing how to laugh and have fun
is an important part of living.
Someone asked me what I do for fun. I felt I should answer with something
others enjoy, like golf or skiing. But my idea of fun is not usually
associated with entertainment and recreation. It is more about squeezing
as much enjoyment into every day as I can. Instead of looking for
something fun to do, I try to make whatever I do a little more fun. And if
I can't always do things I enjoy, I can learn to enjoy more of the things
I do.
I like the word “enjoyment” because it has “joy” inside of it. So does the
word “rejoice.” And rejoicing is a way to find enjoyment of life.
Speaking of Leo Buscaglia, he used to tell a story about his mother and
their “misery dinner.” It was the night after his father came home and
said it looked as if he would have to go into bankruptcy because his
partner had absconded with their firm's funds. His mother's response was
to sell some of her jewelry to buy food enough for a grand feast. At
first, other members of the family scolded her for it. But she told them
that “the time for joy is now, when we need it most, not next week.” They
learned to appreciate the hopeful attitude that lifted them out of fear
and into joy.
I want to learn to be happy even in those difficult and trying times. I
won't be happy for the problems, but I will be happy in the midst of them.
I need the soothing medicine of laughter when it hurts. I want to learn
that the time for joy is now, when I need it most.
Maybe it sounds silly, but I want to learn to rejoice in all things. And
If I'm doing that well, it really doesn't matter what I like to do for fun.
By Steve Goodier
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 34:1-4 “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and
let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and
delivered me from all my fears.”
James 1:2-5 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall
direct thy paths.”
Psalm 20:6-9 “Now know I that the LORD saveth His anointed; He will hear
him from His Holy Heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some
trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of
the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and
stand upright. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.”
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun
a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: THE PROMISE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem182.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: MADE STRONG THROUGH WEAKNESS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony183.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
