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.”
posted by Quincy @ 10/26/2008 08:14:00 PM
1 Comments:
Great message! Thanks for passing it on. So many times the world can suck me in with the "poor me" attitude. While I need a time for grieving and a time for feeling sad. I must be ever so careful not to allow such tragedies to overwhelm me. God is good all the time. His plan is unfolding each minute of each day. Whether it be through sad circumstances or happy ones. Joy is knowing where our eternity lies and Who is watching over us as we pass through this life into the next.
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