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Getting back to joy, that is exactly what I set out to do when I realized that I was just living one day at a time, but not living it with joy. I have been thinking about how do we get back our joy when we might be living one day at a time suffering with depression, enduring a troubled marriage, coping with a sick or difficult child, failing health, facing the death of a loved one, battling addictions, and facing all kinds of adversity.
Living in such an uncertain world, I thought is it truly possible to not let these circumstances effect our joy? Relying on the Lord living one day at a time is the way we need to live, but to live one day at time does not not mean to just get through the day and survive. One day at a time with the Lord means that we can walk through fields of gold no matter what our circumstances. I have faith, but sometimes I don’t have joy.
“Whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy.”
James 1:2
Recently, I heard a sermon about joy. In the middle of the sermon he said “If you want to get your joy back, re-joy.” RE-JOICE! This is exactly what a did, I had felt like I was just getting through the days, studying the word, doing the right thing…waiting to feel joy. Feel joy? I remembered all the times that the Lord’s Word says that it doesn’t matter how you feel, we should count it all joy.
But it was the pastor that said, if you want to get your joy back, no matter how you are feeling rejoice. I remembered wonderful Darlene Zschech and her story of writing Shout to the Lord, which was written in one of her darkest times.
“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say, Rejoice.”
Phillipians 4:4
The song is all about praising God, shouting our voices in praise, even when we don’t feel like it. Learning this lesson, it made perfect sense…after all, when we are in the depths of a storm and we raise our voices in worship or thank Him with our words, aren’t we really demonstrating the ultimate sign of faith?
“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones, and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.”
Psalms 32:11
The song for this post is Shout To The Lord, sung by Darlene Zschech.
Amen, thanks for blessing me this morning.
What a beautiful post.
Thank you.
Renee xoxo
Karen,
I feel somehow that we are always on the same page...wanting to feel that joy everyday. It is a wasted day to me if I don't feel joy in all that I do. So rejoice...I like that!
Beautiful photos. Do you have the name of the flowers in the 1st picture? They are lovely!
xoxo
Jane
Breathtaking, Karen! ... Both the photos and these words.
"Re-joy", aka "Rejoice"? ... Why, yes; how perfect to realize that.
Thank you for touching my heart this morning.
Have a lovely day!
Myra
I can feel your peace in this post. Thanks once again for this beautiful writing. Sharon
Thank you for this beautiful post dear friend. You have given me the gift of a blessing today.
Sally
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Wonderful post...satan is always about, trying to steal our joy. I have felt burdened by the constant news coming from Washington, but I know the end of the story...rejoice, for He is returning, maybe sooner than we think! Beautiful photos...so reflecting of His beauty, grace and love.
God bless!
Mary
I was just reading James the other day and that verse stayed in my mind. Thank-you for sharing this today, it is a beautiful post.
God Bles,
Ginger
"Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do."-1Thessalonians 5:16-18.
To be joyful is what He willed for His children. Thank you for reminding us to choose to be joyful no matter what circumstances surround us! God bless.
Beautiful pictures. Good post--the need to rejoice and how it affects us--I think that is why music is so helpful--most Christian music is filled with rejoicing. The other things that helped me were to lay my burdens at the cross---to actually pray to God and tell him, ok..I'm leaving these burdens with you. Also another thing that has helped is doing something creative that I find joy in--I think God has made us in His image and one way we are like Him is in our creative abilities--whether photography, drawing, singing, writing, cooking, decorating, playing music...whatever--it lifts the spirit as we do some of the things that reflect glory back to our creater (along with ministry to others)
Wonderful post - wonderful song. How could one not feel joyful when listening to the music and viewing the beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Hello Karen, beautiful flowers and beautiful text. Joy is something we need to reach for every day. Joy in itself is a form of rejoicing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts today.
Blessings...Jeanne
He gives us joy unthinkable and full of glory.....words to another great song.
Susan
Very well put, Karen. Sometimes I have to DO, before I can FEEL! This is true about joy, love, and even creativity.
Beautiful photos, beautiful inspiration, beautiful music and beautiful friend. Thank you!
Karen, this post is beautiful. The photos are breath taking and the words are perfect. You have inspired me. I really do have a wonderful life, but I needed a reminder to re-joy and not just wait for joy to come to me. Thank you for this post. laurie
Beautiful images and lovely reminders for us all to choose JOY in all things ... resting in God.
Hugs and blessings,
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