It's a lot easier to "rejoice" when things are good. But when things are bad, I plead, not praise. It's in my nature to be joyful when I like what I see before me, but very unnatural to celebrate God when I fear the future.“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19
But Habakkuk teaches us joy is a choice, not a feeling. Will I CHOOSE to honor God despite the rocky road ahead? Will I set my mind on His goodness instead of my bleakness? Will I trust instead of fret?
Will I rest in who He is instead of what He does or does not do?
Can I be honest and say I don't want to work that hard? I don't want pain or anxiety. I want easy. But easy is not best. Easy doesn't teach or mold. Easy isn't love in the long run. God loves us enough to teach us trust.
He loves us enough to show us how to love HIM, not just His blessings.
Joy is a choice, a decision, an act of my will, a showing of my devotion and trust in a very good God. I love Him by choosing joy, especially when I don't feel it.
Will you love Him too? Will you choose joy in any circumstance?
Visit MiPa at Miriam Pauline's Monologue for more writings on this quote.
Photo Credit: 'Camera baba'
4 comments:
I am with you that I really don't want to work that hard! But the reward of that choice is so much better than choosing to live without joy.
Thanks for joining us today!
Hi Tammy - encouraging and honest words, straight from your heart ;o) We all wish our days could be easier, and free from anxiety, care, and fear, but your are so right . . . . it is a choice that we must make, no matter our circumstances. Thanks for sharing today! Nina
I'm with you I want easy. Too bad life doesn't come with the magic easy button. We are built to learn best when things aren't easy. Teaches us patient endurance. Or at least endurance.
Yes, it is our choice to decide whether we give in to the obstacles we face, or whether we will believe in God and trust in Him despite them.
Post a Comment