Reflecting on what JOY truly is.....

In this busy life we live, it's easy to get caught up in all that busyness and lose sight of the purpose so quickly.   I recently received this in an email and wanted to share it with you.

Here’s how to take back the joy you’ve lost: 

1.  Understand what joy is 
Joy is not the absence of problems or stress.  We all have troubles in daily life.  Joy is the understanding that in spite of those troubles, we know we will be okay.  It is holding onto a sense of peace and strength, security and ultimately goodness, even in the center of the storms.  It is an intangible feeling that we will be carried through until we reach the other side, until better days come.  It is a feeling of serenity that we are not alone, nor will ever be left all alone, to face our struggles and fears.  Joy is the gift of peace that comes from knowing that no matter what happens to us, we are being given the ability to get through the challenge, to grow, to emerge to a better and healthier life.  Joy is one of the best gifts we can ever create and receive.

2.  Reflect on joyful moments Even if you are going through a painful period right now in your life, make an intentional effort to think about the positive, touching, grateful moments you feel.  Those moments do come to us every day.  Even in the midst of sad, challenging or devastating times, there are always at least little moments of light and grace that temper the difficulties and bring some balance into each day.

3.  Create time for joy now If only for 10 minutes at a time - take a short walk, read a magazine article or story, watch children play, listen to some favorite music, view a part of a funny TV show, stare into space, look at a photo album, concentrate on something beautiful in nature allow yourself to focus on what pleases you.  It will help you to transcend for that time the stresses you are facing.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:12

I wanted to share this devotion with you.   I pray it will encourage you as you press on to run the race that is set before you.   


Sometimes the key to survival is simply "setting our jaw" and going on faithfully trusting that God is there helping us, despite the apparent and outward circumstances. Choosing joy through hope rather than despair, choosing patient endurance in times of affliction, and choosing faithfulness in prayer are all decisions of the will trusting that the God who raised Jesus from the dead can also change our circumstances because he hears our voice.

PRAYER:
Create in me, O Mighty God, a resolute and steadfast heart so that I might persevere with joy no matter what the difficulty. This I ask in the name of your faithful Son. Amen.


Blessings,


Molly

Just wanted to post a quick note to let you know that I'll start posting again soon.   It's been a crazy spring around our house.   Ever since March came, things have just been busy.   I'm doing okay.   I'm having some back pain due to my rib cage being out of whack, but with some physical therapy, it's getting stronger.   I gave my testimony back in April to a ladies' group.   That went really well.   I was thankful the Lord calmed my nerves and spoke through me.   I haven't spoken to a large group in a long time, so it was definitely the Lord working in me.   The "old me" wouldn't have signed up for that.  :-)

Hope all is well!

Blessings,

Molly

The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord accepts my prayer. ~ Psalm 6:9

Actually, God hears all our prayers.  God's ears are never closed and he never turns away from our cries for help.  We do not need to be concerned that God doesn’t care.  He knows and understands our deepest concerns and our most essential needs.   There is nothing we can or need to hide from God.  He wants us to lay our anxieties and apprehensions down at His feet.   He wants to carry our burdens and tells us over and over that we are not to worry.    I'm thinking that if he mentions it over and over in His word, that it is pretty important to Him that we give up those areas of concern.    God recognizes all that disquiets us and assures us of listening so that we may know we are not alone.  Our prayers are never in vain.  In fact, God knows our needs even before we ask, and is already at work responding to those needs and giving us new life again.   Doesn't that give you  great peace and assurance of God’s devoted attention and acceptance?

Lord, it is a great reassurance to know that you understand the cries of my heart and reach out to answer me even before I turn to you.  I am deeply grateful that you know me so well – and love me so much.  Amen. 

The Lord is my Shepherd.....

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.     -- Psalm 23:1-3
   
This verse gives me great comfort.   He restores my soul.  That sounds so good. But it is more than talk.  When we've reached that point where we can't go on, God blesses us with strength to just keep on walking. When we're in a struggle and things are tough, his power upholds us and we run to victory. When we're winning victories in his name, we can soar on wings like eagles. He is a shepherd and more. He is the Rock and Sustainer of our lives!  I've found this to be so true this past year!   I have a permanent vision of a winding road in my mind.   It has beautiful fall leaves on the trees on either side.  The road is rocky.   The Lord is at the end of the road encouraging me to keep walking, keep trusting, telling me to keep my focus on Him, not to look to the left or the right.   As long as I do that, I can keep walking by faith.   It's when I look to the left or the right that my circumstances overtake me and I get anxious.

Lord, help me rest tonight in your grace and in the confidence that you are nearby. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." - Luke 6:36

Thank God that his mercies are new every morning!   One of the things I learned early on after my diagnosis is that the Lord LOVES US SO MUCH that we can barely fathom His love.   I am SO thankful that He loves me unconditionally.   He knows when I'm going to mess up and yet, He still loves me.   Praise God for his mercy!


He wants to draw us closer to Him and it is truly through the valleys that we learn to draw close to Him, not when life is smooth sailing.   Cancer is a message to change.   I'm so thankful the Lord is doing "spring cleaning" and rebuilding me to be more like Him.


Here is a devotion that I received this morning that I wanted to share with you.   Even if you haven't been diagnosed with an illness, these are still wonderful words of wisdom.  I pray this ministers to your spirit.


When we judge and react harshly to ourselves and others we place burdens on our hearts and souls that we don’t need.  When we hold onto and keep mental lists of weaknesses, slights and faults we diminish ourselves and others.  It takes entirely too much energy to focus on imperfections and failings.  It weakens our spirits and inhibits our healing.  God gave us the command to forgive and show mercy because God knows it is best for us.  We are strongest when we can release tension and pain, when regret and disappointment can be lifted and when we can move on forever from bitterness and hostility.  Cancer is a message to change.  The most significant of the changes can occur when we clear ourselves of everything that eats at our souls.  We need that energy instead to focus on getting well and being whole again.


Merciful God, I know I need to learn so much from you.  Your gracious and forgiving nature toward me shows me how I need to live my life with others.  I pray that I will have the strength of conviction and purpose to do what I know is best.  Amen.

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,

...who forgives all your iniquities..."v.3

"Who redeems your life from destruction..."v.4

"The Lord is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger,

and abounding in mercy..."v.8

"He has not dealt with us

according to our sins,

Nor punished us according to our iniquities...."v.10

"As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions

from us..." v.12 ~Psalm 103