Jon is not unlike most other kids (and even adults) in this
area. It’s much easier to do something when the positive benefit is right there
in front of them, but there is so much of our life where that positive benefit
might not be so apparent and seems even more apparently absent. Times like
these can frequently lead to discouragement or becoming dis-encouraged and
losing any positive incentive and even the courage to move forward which can be
accompanied with a loss of ‘happy’ feelings, leading to a deeper internalized loss
of joy. It is a spiral that leads nowhere but into a dark pit, unless we do
something to put a stop to it.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for
when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has
promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being
tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no
one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully
grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good
gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of
lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James
1:12–17, ESV)
It is in times like these that we are living with a
circumstantial focus—our focus is determined or guided by our circumstances,
and since our circumstances often change so does our focus and subsequently so
does our joy in life. This is not how God has called us to live. While it is
true that we live in the world and that we are subject to the circumstances of
living in the world, Scripture also reminds us that we are not of the world and
that really our citizenship is somewhere else—in heaven.
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his
glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to
himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,
stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” (Philippians 3:20–4:1, ESV)
And as we stand firm and as we endure hardships of various
forms, Scripture tells us to do so with our eyes firmly fixed on Christ, keeping
in mind to what length He went for us, and being encouraged to endure likewise, knowing that He will bring us to completion.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus,
the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the
throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against
himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:1–3, ESV)
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all
that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory
in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20–21, ESV)
Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (10/5)
Remember that joy is not dependent on your circumstances.
Some of the world’s most miserable people are those whose circumstances seem
the most enviable. People who reach the top of the ladder career-wise are often
surprised to find emptiness awaiting them. True Joy is a by-product of living
in My Presence. Therefore you can experience it in palaces, in prisons …
anywhere.
Do not judge a day as devoid of Joy just because it contains
difficulties. Instead, concentrate on staying in communication with Me. Many of
the problems that clamor for your attention will resolve themselves. Other
matters you must deal with, but I will help you with them. If you make
problem-solving secondary to the goal of living close to Me, you can find Joy
even in your most difficult days.
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the
vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be
cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in
the Lord; I will take joy in the
God of my salvation. God, the
Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my
high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.” (Habakkuk 3:17–19,
ESV)
“Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are
in his place.” (1 Chronicles 16:27, ESV)
No comments:
Post a Comment