Choose Joy

Today’s sermon at church really spoke to me. It was on Acts 7-8, about Stephen’s death. And how his death was a part of fulfilling God’s mission to spread the Gospel (Acts 1:8).

Bad things do happen to good, Godly people every day. Life is hard. We all go through rough times, tragic times in our life. I am thankful to say that right now I am not in the midst of tragedy. But I have had my share of “tragic” times. And I have always said that I am thankful for those times because it is those times that have shaped me into the person that I am today. And today’s sermon really affirmed that for me.

My life is a good story with some tragic parts. How I respond to these tragic times is very important. How I respond will shape the story of my life. I cannot control what happens to me, but I can control what happens IN me. When these things happen, I am able to choose how I respond. I must choose to respond in joy, peace, and love. Because it is what happens in my heart, that determines who I will be in the future. I must choose joy. I must expect God’s goodness in the end of all situations. I must believe that He is up to something good, even if I cannot see it today.

James 1:2-3, “When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

Knowing v. Feeling

I have to confess that today I have let the flesh take over. I am grumpy. I am questioning everything and don’t know why. I KNOW that God has a plan. I KNOW that everything will work out the way that it is supposed to. I KNOW that life is good. I KNOW that I am amazingly blessed. I have nothing to be grumpy about.

So, why do I feel so grumpy? So lonely? So unmotivated? So discouraged? Why am I questioning everything? Why am I not content with the way things are? Why am I filled with doubt? Where did my trust, peace, and patience go? Why doesn’t what I KNOW match how I FEEL?