Choosing Joy

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (James 1:2-4 MSG)

A friend sent me the scripture above.  Sometimes it is so hard to choose to be joyful.  I have been having a hard time the last couple of weeks.  There is just so much going on, and a lot of things seem to be stressing me out.  And … this Friday, April 13 would be dad’s birthday.  There would never be enough room on this blog (or the whole internet, for that matter) for me to adequately say how much I love and miss him. 

So, here I sit.  I fully realize that my problems are nowhere nearly as bad as what some (many!) other people are dealing with.  Most of what stresses me out relates to commitments that I’ve made and having to choose between several GOOD things for those commitments.  So I’m not complaining (or at least I’m trying not to).  I just need to be reminded to be joyful. 

There is nothing on earth that can give me as much joy as my Father in Heaven.  I have an amazing husband, 3 wonderful kids, and the best family! I have a great job and a few very sweet friends!  But none of that can be first in my life.  In order to find true joy, I need to look up.  When challenges come my way, and when things start to feel like a weight on my shoulders, I need to go to Him.  When I am missing my dad more than I know how to say, I need to cling to my Father.  He will help me to manage it all.  To laugh and cry when I need to, and to say “yes” or “no” when I need to.  (and this is when I start to laugh – because saying “no” has never been my strength unless people ask me to try a new food!) :) 

We just celebrated my favorite holiday of the year, and it helped to put things into perspective.  God sent his Son to die on a cross for ME!  Because He loves ME!  I’m not saying I won’t continue to feel stress – it’s all around.  However, if I am willing to give it over to the One who can help me with it, it can’t get much better than that!  I just need to remember that sacrifice and that love.  And then it’s not hard at all to choose joy!

"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Ephesians 3:17-18 (NIV)