"Has something taken the sparkle out of your worship? Whatever it is that is stealing your joy and sucking the life out of your worship must be removed!"(Charles Swindoll)
Do you ever feel physically dislocated and wonder what happened to your “spiritual high”? I have certainly had a lot of change and challenge in my home environment this past year, and when I am confused and begin to lose my patience with the elements and events going on in my life, I can emotionally and physically feel my joy and happiness being sucked out of my body! It’s so often hard to pinpoint what is stealing my joy, but I know there is only one thing that will help… and that’s trusting God. In fact, if trusting God is what I was doing in the first place, I wouldn’t have lost my joy! And I am pretty sure this happened because I tried to take my worries and anxieties into my own hands instead of letting Him take care of them and not worrying about the outcome. These distractions have led me into days of spiritual lows and I question what in the world happened to my calm and organized life style! However, none of us can avoid occasional chaos and confusion in our lives, but if we fix our thoughts on God, we can know perfect peace even in turmoil. We can choose to be joyful in the Lord, or we can choose to be discouraged, angry, or frustrated in the situation!
“May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” (Colossians 1:11-ESV)
There were occasional days when I just missed the sparkle in my life and my joy in the Lord, and when I quit relying on my own self-sufficiency and gave it to Him, He directed me to take control of my life back, and open my eyes to the new day, feeling positively joyful. :) When circumstances begin to get out of control, I needed to find a way to change the scenery, calm my mind, and surround myself with God’s love and mighty power. As I listened deeply to His kind and uplifting words of peace and joy, I became stronger and more capable of replacing every negative worry with multiple positive actions. Anytime we feel that our backs are up against a wall, we need to find a way to get through that wall and jump joyfully and enthusiastically into life, knowing that we can handle whatever may come our way. Even though at some points in our lives we allow sinful pride to lead us to go our own way, God will always pull us through every situation when we depend on Him alone to save and protect us.
“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones, and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.”
(Psalms 32:11)
(Psalms 32:11)
Linking up with Tracy today on Winsome Wednesday :)
yes! and sometimes the circumstances are so minor, yet rapidly take our joy right away! (this morning it was a spilled FULL cup of coffee). and then other more serious circumstances threaten to overtake our very life. good words, good reminders. so glad i visited :-)
ReplyDeletesteph
I am the same way sis but what I call it is life, life issues and challenges cover up our joy and we feel like it's rob us, but we know that God says His joy is complete and when He gives it to us it's never taken away unless we give it away. So hold your head high and square your shoulders because the Joy of The Lord is your strength! He's everything you need and then some. So sing a song in your heart sis and let the enemy know not today, amen.
ReplyDeleteAmen! What joy to know that regardless what we face in life, our God is BIGGER and can "...pull us through every situation when we depend on Him...". That truth gives my heart great joy!!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings and joyous hugs,
Lisa
Great thoughts here! We sometimes forget in the chaos of life that we can CHOOSE joy. Thank you for the reminder that God is able to "pull us through every situation." Amen!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I just became the newest follower of your lovely blog. I would be honored if you would join me as I embark on a new blog hop which encourages the sharing of inspiration each Friday. It opens tonight and you can learn about it here:
http://findingtheinspiring.blogspot.com
Joy is a choice - so true! When we keep our focus on the Lord, rather than on our problems or difficulties, we can experience His joy as He travels with us through anything we encounter! Things won't always be perfect, of course, but it is such an encouragement to have Him by our sides! I'm choosing joy!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joan
This is beautifully written. I found you at Finding the Inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI loved this part:
"He directed me to take control of my life back, and open my eyes to the new day, feeling positively joyful. :) When circumstances begin to get out of control, I needed to find a way to change the scenery, calm my mind, and surround myself with God’s love and mighty power."
Yes and Amen.
Amen, beautifully stated. Thank you for sharing and blessing my heart.
ReplyDeleteEstava apreciando seu blog e quero lhe convidar a conhecer o meu também.
ReplyDeletewww.elderrangel.blogspot.com
Se gostar compartilhe com seus amigos.
Deus nos abençoe!