Joy

Some days it's not easy to see the light at the end of the tunnel and being joyful doesn't come naturally. Sometimes it seems like life is so easy for everyone else. During those times, its easy to get discouraged and think that God has forgotten us.

We have to know that these kind of days are temporary. Our sorrow may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5).  When we stop focusing on the world in front of us and lift our eyes to Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), our troubles don't seem so impossible anymore.

Our thoughts should be of things that are noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). When you do this, the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:9).

Ultimate joy and peace will come when we rejoice in the Lord; we will know He is near. We don't have to be anxious about anything. We can come before the Lord with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:4-9).

It doesn't matter what our circumstances are, we can be full of joy. When we have Jesus, we know that we can place all of our trust in Him and he will always make our paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The Lord is on our side and He loves us. What greater joy is there?

Letting Go

Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,' you must forgive them.   Luke 17:4

I've been hurt in my life. I've hated someone so much that I felt my only relief would be if they were dead. I've carried around bitterness and resentment that was so strong and heavy I couldn't move. I was angry and it hurt the people I love.

I knew I had to forgive. I knew that it says in Mark 11:25 that if I hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that my Father in heaven could forgive me. How could I forgive someone who caused me so much pain; someone who violated and abused my children? It was impossible for me to do it. How can I let something like that go?

The truth is, it IS impossible to forgive on my own. But with God ALL things are possible (Matthew 19:26). The truth is, forgiveness has little or nothing to do with the person who hurts us. It isn't saying what they did was OK. It's saying you are done carrying this burden and you're ready to give it to Jesus because He says His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). He took our pain and bore our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4). He died to break our chains (Psalm 107:14) and give us freedom and abundant life (John 10:10).

We forgive to be in relationship with God.

We forgive because it brings glory to God. I know that it was only by the power of the Holy Spirit that I was able to forgive and am now able to sincerely pray for this person. It was only God that has allowed me to tell my story and bring healing to others.

Choose to forgive.
Choose to let go.
Choose to let God take your burden and use your pain for His glory.

The Battle Belongs To The Lord

There is a battle raging against me and my family right now. It's one I know I can't win on my own. It's strong and fierce and coming at us from all sides. There are days I want to give up. There are moments when I feel like I can't go on. There are mornings that it takes every ounce of energy I have to get out of bed. This battle might go on a while. I'm not sure what's next,  but I do know one thing. This battle belongs to the Lord. (2 Chronicles 20:15)

There is not one thing that the enemy can throw at me that will prosper (Isaiah 54:17). My God is fighting this battle for me and we will win (2 Chronicles 20:17). My future plans are secure (Jeremiah 29:11) and I will worship and praise Him for this victory before I even see it (Psalm 20). He is my refuge and my strength in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). Sorrow may last for the night, but JOY comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5)

I can be confident in this because I know it's true. He has walked right beside me through storms that should have left me broken. He has given me back things that I thought were gone. He has given me freedom that I never thought possible. He has provided for me when there was nothing. He has promised me eternity with Him.

I'm going to praise Him and then sit back and watch Him create beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3).

If you're struggling, reach out to the One who knows you, the One who calls you by name, the One who will pull you out of the pit of despair.