Day 11 "You Are Joyful"
Always Joy
Photo by Candice Picard on Unsplash
Good Morning Beauties!
“Can you use some genuine joy in your life? A joy which can’t be quenched? A peace that can’t be taken? A happiness which can’t be threatened? There is such a joy. It is a sacred delight, a holy gladness. It comes from God and is within your reach.” – from The Applause of Heaven
We move forward today, taking one more step on our journey to examine Joy. What do think about joy and the fact that you are joyful? Are you saying “I sure don’t feel very joyful right now”? There are many serious and scary things going on in the world, and it may be difficult to discuss joy, but that makes it the perfect time to talk about it.
Joy is much more than a feeling. So the fact you may not be feeling joy, is ok. I believe joy is intertwined with peace, and we find peace when we trust God with our health, our finances, our relationships - with our very lives. Have you heard the saying, “the opposite of fear is faith”? I have clung to that saying for years, until recently when I heard something that resonated in my spirit as truth. “The opposite of fear is trust.”
When we trust our God loves us, is for us and not against us, and has a perfect plan for us, we can let go of fear and anxiety and allow joy and peace to flow within us like a beautiful river. We must look beyond our difficult circumstances to see how God can use them to bless others. And being used by God is a complete joy, isn’t it? Let’s take a look at the joy within Paul and Silas as they were imprisoned for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
MIRACLES CAN COME OUT OF PAINFUL PLACES - Acts 16:23-34 The Passion Translation
23 “After they were severely beaten, they were thrown into prison and the jailer was commanded to guard them securely. 24 So the jailer placed them in the innermost cell of the prison and had their feet bound and chained.
25 Paul and Silas, undaunted, prayed in the middle of the night and sang songs of praise to God, while all the other prisoners listened to their worship.
26 Suddenly, a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. All at once every prison door flung open and the chains of all the prisoners came loose.
27 Startled, the jailer awoke and saw every cell door standing open. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself 28 when Paul shouted in the darkness, “Stop! Don’t hurt yourself. We’re all still here.”
29 The jailer called for a light. When he saw that they were still in their cells, he rushed in and fell trembling at their feet. 30 Then he led Paul and Silas outside and asked, “What must I do to be saved?”
31 They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all your family.” 32 Then they prophesied the word of the Lord over him and all his family. 33 Even though the hour was late, he washed their wounds. Then he and all his family were baptized. He took Paul and Silas into his home and set them at his table and fed them. 34 The jailer and all his family were filled with joy in their newfound faith in God.”
What are you willing to let go of today and place in the trusting hand of your Abba Father? Selah.
Here’s a super sweet country song I found online with the perfect message for us today. Enjoy!
Love and Blessings,
Kendra
“Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One! ”