Faith Barista Jam Thursday Topic
Sometimes I just almost laugh at how "ON" these topics can be.
Today’s topic: How Does Your Faith Connect To Your Happiness?
Today's "Wisdom Hunters" Devo was also on Sorrow Removed...
“He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces: he will remove the disgrace of the people from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 25:8
On earth sorrow is ever present to pester people—no one is immune from it. Sorrow created by sin. Sorrow created by death. Sorrow created by divorce. Sorrow created by selfishness. Sorrow created by poverty. Sorrow created by rejection. Sorrow created by loss. Sorrow created by fear. But, in all cases, Jesus Christ is the Savior of our sorrows.- WHD
Crazy isn't it how things tie together, because honestly I can't say that since I've been having the health struggles going on that I've been super happy.
It's hard to keep the happiness going with everything else going on.
Not only did the health stuff start this month but I had to have a root canal, found out after the crown was put on that my dental insurance maxes out at $1000 a year (FYI it's much more than that to have the root canal, cap, xrays and etc.) and October has been a month with 3 weddings, tons of photo opportunities, bachlorette parties, family stuff and so on.
It seems like it just won't stop.
And it can be a little overwhelming.
It's hard not to let the thoughts over take my mind.
The what ifs and all of that.
The thoughts that this is my fault that my body is doing this,
the thoughts that this has been such a rough year already,
the thoughts of how am I going to do this,
get through all of this.
His word tells me that I don't need to get through all this myself
that I need to let my grasp on all this go
that I need to lay my burdens down. (1Peter 5:7)
HE is WAITING and WANTING to take them away.
To CARRY them for me.
To WRAP me in HIS ARMS and HOLD me tight.
He isn't promising me a life with out "issues" or problems.
He isn't promising NO STORMS
He IS promising me that He will never leave me during those issues or problems
That he will stay with me, even holding me, through the storms of life
That he will work all things for His good.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
Personally- I'm not sure I believe in always being happy.
I believe that "the JOY of the LORD is my strength" (Neh 8:10)
And I believe that where we do not always have happiness we can always have joy.
Just like when we have raging storms we may not have calm but we can have peace.
I do not have to have happiness in my life to know that God is there, giving me strength, giving me peace, giving me hope.
That he will work all things out.
And that no matter what the result of these things going on are,
He will be there with me every step of the way
He will make a way for me,
He does have a plan.
And it all will be ok,
Even if it's not what I have planned for my life.
In fact with Him in charge I'm pretty sure it will be better than ok.
And more than I could have probably imagined anyhow.
5 comments:
I love James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds" it used to frustrate me, but now that I know that the Joy he's talking about in the knowledge of Jesus walking through the trial with you, showing us how to persevere in His strength... bringing glory to His name. The evidence of this is found when you take a look back and really see for yourself that He in ALL things He works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Great, honest post!
Thanks Avery!
Leanna, I love how you are dead on focused on Rom 8:28, even in the midst of so many trials. It makes me happy to know you! Keep hanging in there and be good to yourself as you weather these storms. And let others enjoy your company! :) Just as you have let us into a slice of your life in the jam today. Thank you for sharing!
"Where we do not always have happiness we can have joy"---yes! They are so different at their roots even if their expression can be similar.
I hear you on the medical stuff and the non-stop pace of life. Leaning on Jesus seems to be the only way I'm making it through. May you know joy as he leads, guides and provides.
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