A Moment of Joy

I admit that I’m guilty.

I often attach my happiness and well-being to things other than the Lord. And I know I’m not the only one.

It can be hard. Especially when the sun is shining and the day is going my way. Everything seems perfect.

But then I wonder why I start to feel crummy when it’s raining and I have a long day at work. Or maybe we don’t have as much money leftover after bills as I had hoped. Maybe I didn’t sleep well. Or someone said something hurtful towards me.

The truth is this, life is not constant.

The good days will always be matched by less than good days. But that’s not the problem.

As Christians we aren’t necessarily going to have better or more ideal circumstances than the next person.

But we can still have joy in any circumstance.

How you may ask?

By attaching our trust, faith, and joy to God.

Not in how we feel.

Not the weather.

Not how others treat us.

Not our finances.

Not our health.

Not our loved ones.

Because there is not one thing in this life that is unchanging.

And so if maybe you’re wondering why your emotions and joy are all out of whack, take a serious look at what you’re putting it in.

Because the Joy of the Lord is our strength.

And I believe that is taking joy in God, but also Him giving us His own joy.

A joy that can withstand any changing circumstance or emotion. Something steady. Constant.

Now, we might not always feel happy.

But that doesn’t mean we cannot experience a deep, true joy in our hearts even on the crummiest of days.

Joy that we are saved by faith. Joy that we are loved unconditionally. Joy that we have a hope and a future.

And that is enough to strengthen us even in the most unhappy moments.

Here’s one of mine:

Last fall I miscarried our first child at 10 weeks 4 days. As I laid in the emergency room bed all alone, I had something in my hand. It was a small reminder of this.

As tears poured down my face, and I felt so alone and heartbroken, I looked at this little rock in my hands. On it was written,

“Joy.”

And the Lord gave me strength.

Praying for you,

Jasmine