Christ-Exalted Joy…

This is something I posted December 15, 2014 after being in church and singing the words to Joy to the World with our fabulous choir and orchestra.  I  began to sing, and then realized I didn’t feel ‘joy’.  How could I be singing Joy to the World, when my world had just fallen apart?  Joy?  Not to mention, as I looked around and saw the smiles around me, I began to feel alone, and wondered if I could ever be ‘joy’ful again.

This weighed heavy in my spirit and I just couldn’t shake it.  I know the verse…’Be joyful always’… (1 Thessalonians 5:16)  In the past I thought this made perfect sense.  In the past, I had many reasons to be joyful.  I was thankful and felt extremely blessed.  But if we are to be joyful always..what does that even mean? My sweet boy was just taken from me, unexpectedly…Certainly our joy can’t depend on our outward circumstances…

Here is something I read that has inspired me to rejoice even in my suffering:

(post from Dec. 15th)    Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation. (This is based on Kay Warren’s book, “Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn’t Enough.”)

“We’re depending on God; he’s everything we need. What’s more, our hearts brim with joy since we’ve taken for our own his holy name.

Love us, God, with all you’ve got — that’s what we’re depending on.” (Psalm 33:20-22 MSG)
Joy is worth fighting for. Our JOY is for God’s glory…. Continuing to trust Him in this storm. —

So..I am now praying for Christ-Exalted Joy!!!
Joy that doesn’t depend on how I wake up feeling.
Joy that trusts.
Joy that glorifies God.

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.   Psalm 63:1

These are 2 pictures from last Christmas.  Joy?  Oh, indeed!  We felt much pleasure and happiness the day these pictures were taken..  We had prayed it would snow-and IT DID!!  It snowed a beautiful snow on Christmas Eve.  What a great memory!!  Love, love, love my family…..