Laying sick in bed for the past two days, was no walk in the park, but it had me thinking how quickly we can loose our joy. Now before you say “how can you be joyful when you are sick?” let me explain.
We live in a world that base their lives on opinions and feelings, which are both very fleeting and subjective things and something like happiness is obtained in materialistic things, or times with friends, or when it is going well.
But what if I told you there is a way to feel ultimat ehappiness a happiness and peace combined, that is not base don circumstances. It is called JOY and it is in reach for all of us who decide to make Jesus Christ the center and the Saviour of our lives.
You see, even as I was laying in my agony with body ache I wish upon not even my enemies, I was worshipping and felt joy – a joy that right there in that pain, there is a higher power, a indescribable love that is with me, holding me, embracing me, guiding me and helping me persevere through the pain.
Now my silly stomach bug story might be nothing compared to what some of us have experienced before – loss of a loved one, grief, unfairly accused, abuse – you name it, in this broken world we are bound to have trouble but Hold heart says the Lord – “because I have already overcome it!” (John 16:33)
Joy comes form God’s spirit – the Holy Spirit, Who is always right there, and even though we don’t always see the sea disappear it will definitely part. We might not always have an absence of pain, but we have a presence of peace. His peace and a joy unspeakable – a hope and knowing that it is going to be okay, and even if it is not, He is here He is good and that is more than enough to be joyful about!
Now apart from the illness I have also encountered very rude and mean people the past two years, that made me very mad and sad. Even in that, I will not let my joy be stolen – He is still good, He is still God and He died for them too, which means I can still have joy knowing that there is hope for them too and that the hurt I am experiencing is temporary and also a great opportunity to showcase a response that shows that He has made me a new creation full of His joy!!!
Do not let any person or circumstances steal your joy, abide in Jesus your source of ultimate joy:
J – Jesus
O – Overflows in
Y – You
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore”.
Psalm 16:11 (ESV)