So where do we find our Joy?
Those of you that read my last post got to experience the brokenness and hurt I witnessed during the brutal aftermath of the I-5 train wreck a month ago. What many of you probably do not know is that after the incident some of my personal relationships became strained and my dad started his second round of chemo. Through all that life has thrown at me this last month there has been some extremely hard days. These include moments of getting out of bed and facing the new day because you cried yourself to sleep the night before. Moments where someone asks a question such as, “Wow, you look awful, are you okay?” Times where a loved one tries to relate their experiences to yours and instead of making you feel better the conversation makes you feel more alone. The truth is all your happiness will never be found in your circumstances or the people around you. DO NOT be discouraged by these words. I promise there is hope. Realization swept over me today as I was running. As I rounded a corner that I have ran a thousand times I ran backwards as I usually do to keep the view of the Puget Sound in sight twice as long. Then at eye level the most beautiful Bald Eagle flew less than 100 feet away from me! Immediately my eyes welled up with tears and the verse, “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” I was silently and gracefully reminded that the Lord is in control. He is the one who has forgiven me, redeemed me, and will always love me. My Joy is found in the Lord. He alone is in control. “My joy is found in the Lord. He alone is in control.” The only power that others have to control our joy is the power we give them. Never let others have that power. Always find your strength in the one who has proven faithful. Always find your strength in the one who knows you fully. Always remember to allow yourself to be loved by the one loves you more deeply than anyone else will ever be capable of. Remind yourself that Jesus chose to pay the ultimate sacrifice for you. He saw your face. He knew that as he was dying he was dying for you and the sins you were going to commit. Remember the man on the cross who was crucified next to Jesus in Luke 23?! Well he is in paradise right now! Can you imagine the pain and suffering that man went through on the cross beside Jesus? Picture yourself dying for the sins you committed. Now look into Jesus’ face and see him next to you saying, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43).” Can you imagine the peace that dying man had while on the cross? You can have access to that same peace in the midst of your worst circumstances just as the man next to Jesus did. The peace he had as he was dying was found because he realized that he would spend eternity with Jesus in paradise. When you are close to God and spend time with him you can experience that same peace! That is the key to finding your joy. You have to fight for your joy through a relationship with your creator and heavenly father. Ask him to forgive you and tell him you love him. He already loves you more deeply than you could ever imagine. Give him your heart and see what he does with it. I promise you will not regret the indescribable peace you will feel when you allow yourself to be loved by the one who created you. I dare you to challenge yourself to see the good in your daily life. When someone says something encouraging take note of it. When you have good moments do not brush them aside. Write them down. Dwell on them. Thank God for his infinite blessings. Pray that he would make obvious the everyday blessings he has given you. That those blessings would drown out all the pain you are experiencing. Do not dwell on the things of this world that you don’t have. Dwell on the things he has given you. Count each one of your blessings and do not forget where your joy comes from. #myjoycomesfromthelord #fightforyourjoy #belovedbeloved Conclusion: Joy is not found in our circumstances, but in Christ For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. – Psalm 27:5-7 (NIV). P.S. If this blog post has encouraged you or challenged you in anyway please email [email protected] or make a comment below
4 Comments
Erin Whitesell
1/22/2018 08:53:16 pm
The truths you wrote about are so encouraging and powerful to read about. It's so much easier to read and believe these things than it is to really feel and live them. Hearing about other people that already do is encouraging because I know that it is possible. Thank you for sharing and I will be praying for you, your dad and family as he endures chemo.
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Jody Daniel
1/22/2018 09:03:18 pm
You are amazing, Alicia! Thank you for blessing me today.
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Jonah Hoverson
2/19/2018 10:03:49 am
In my daily life when someone gives me a compliment it makes my whole day better. I want to set a goal to at least give out one compliment to someone a day. This will help spread God’s Joy and love he wants us all to experience. You never know what someone else could be going through that day and that compliment you give them could help them feel God’s Love. You make a difference through Words & Actions. Love you Yaw! Great Post <3
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Randy Hoverson
2/26/2018 09:33:51 am
My Darling Yaw! A Father could not be any more Proud of a Daughter than I am of You! You are simply Amazing! You have asked our Lord Jesus for Wisdom and Direction and He has Blessed! You are Blessed! In Psalms 32:8 NLT "The Lord says, "I will guide you along the Best pathway for your Life. I will advise You and watch over You." You have asked, and our Lord has Blessed, Blessed You beyond measure! You are Loved, Beloved...The BEST Pathway is laid out before You, do Not stray from the Path, Stay in The Word of God and continue to Seek His Will!
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Alicia HoversonBeloved Child of God |