joy
noun
1.
the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure;elation.
2.
a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something orsomeone greatly valued or appreciated.
3.
the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.
4.
a state of happiness or felicity.
The emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying. That's a really good definition of how I've been feeling lately! Ever since last Sunday when missionaries Gary and Janice Dickinson from the Congo came to speak, I've had such joy and peace within me. It's amazing! Gary's message about giving our all to God and going after Him was a big wake up call for me. After service, I went down to the alter and just cried out to God. I knew that trying to handle all my stresses, worries, and struggles on my own was not working, and I was just feeling emotionally drained. I knew I needed to surrender to God and ask Him to take my burdens. And you know what? God answers prayers.
While I was at the alter praying, Janice Dickinson came over to me and started praying for me and talking to me. I have been stressing so much lately about my future and college. I know what God has shown me He wants me to do, but I have no idea where, and it has really been frustrating me. I've been feeling like even though I've been praying about what He wants me to do, I feel like I'm missing something. Janice had some amazing words that I KNOW came from God, because she told me that she felt that God was showing her that even though God has shown me part of what He has in store for me and not everything, it doesn't mean I'm not listening or missing anything. It will all come in His timing. WOW! Talk about PERFECT TIMING! How great is our God! Here I've been stressing and getting mad at myself for thinking I've been missing part of God's plan when He just hasn't shown everything He wants for me yet, and I need to trust in His timing and keep on praying and going after Him. (I guess God is trying to teach me patience too; boy do I need it. :P)
After praying and talking with Janice, I just felt this overwhelming peace and I just cried even more. God spoke to me through Janice and it was exactly what I needed at the right time. I really needed that reassurance from God that I wasn't missing part of His plan for my life. Ever since then, I've had such a wonderful peace and joy within me! I feel like God gave me that pick-me-up that I've needed for so long. :) Another thing that Gary and Janice talked about was perseverance. Persevering in all circumstances, all situations, no matter where you are in your walk with God, and that really stuck out to me. Even though I've had some hard trials I've been through, one thing I did was I never gave up on God. Even when times were so hard and I wanted to give up, I pressed on. And the reward for my perseverance, is true joy and peace.
I just want to encourage you, if you're going through a trial right now, whether it be physical, emotional, circumstantial, or whatever, don't give up. No matter what you're going through, God will help you through it. Even though right now things may be awful and you just want to give up hope about everything, persevere! God rewards us for our perseverance, and having faith in Him. The pain and suffering does not last forever. I am living proof of it. :)
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Also, you should check out this song. It has helped me through my trials and helps me to have faith in God and remember that I am someone worth dying for. :)
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