A Gloomy Day

I'm tired of waking up to the sound of rain and of cold temperatures. I'm weary of knowing the sun is behind a cloud and feeling the unsatisfied ache for light. The sight of bare unfruitful trees and a landscape devoid of life enforces the feeling that spring will never come.

I am tempted to let all that I see set the tone of my day. But somewhere deep inside comes the cry, "This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" God planned this day before the creation of time. In His wisdom He set up the seasons. He will work all things so that good comes to the ones who love Him and are called according to His purposes. The one who knows the beginning from the end is in charge! Nothing is left to chance. He knows best.

So, when I awake to another day of the same sickness; the same pain; the very same problems; and everything I see just looks like more of the same, I will remember, though it doesn't feel like it - it's all good. It's all according to plan. I don't have to see it to believe it! This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Set Your Course

This morning I have set my course. I read in Galations 5:22-23, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." This is enough to be joyful over! God has promised to produce joy in His children. Even though I go through uncomfortable moments, frightening experiences, doubts, temptations to despair, pain, loneliness, discouragement, abandonment, betrayel, ridicule or whatever else Satan or the world may throw at me, I can choose to believe God and be joyful. James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials; knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Circumstances cannot steal away my joy. It is the fruit that is produced in me by God.
I find that the more I read God's Word, the more sure I am that He is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do. Is this not cause for rejoicing? The Master and Creator of the universe loves me, and has made promises to me! He is my joy and nothing but nothing can separate me from Him!

As I meditate on these things, I am strengthened and fore-armed against Satan's deceptions and the empty and vain philosophy of the world. We are bombarded all day every day with lies that would steal our joy. Take time this morning to read God's Word and set your course. You will be fruitful and develope the endurance needed to survive in this dark world.

Joy

I'm getting ready to take a short trip to see my grandson. As simple as the trip is, it is no simple thing for me to get ready, get out the door, and onto the plane. I've had to make a trip to my doctor (twice actually), make sure I have all my meds, work out the plans on who will take me to the airport and who will pick me up (taking into account I really can't walk too far), and weed out of my social calendar - for the week prior to going - things that weren't absolutely necessary that might tire me out too much. These are just a few of the preparations that had to be made. On some small level they are the trials that must be endured and worked through. I'm aware that other people are having to do a lot of things for me and I'm so very grateful - but it is humbling which is also a trial!
The Bible says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials...."
Why? Because it produces endurance which in turn leads to maturity and completeness. I need all of the refining tools that God offers to carve out the enduring and needed character that will get me through this world. I want the steel backbone of faith and the never ending love that reveals Jesus to the world around me. And so instead of being tempted to complain, I rejoice that each day - every moment I am being transformed into who I am meant to be. I want to be ready for such a time as this day and every day that I am on this earth. Thank you, Jesus!