I am choosing joy.
Today marks three years since my Brother went to his Heavenly home.
When we try to make sense of loss, we can't. Why do some grow old and suffer with Alzheimer's? Why do some become ill before their time? Why do some have unexplained gun accidents?
It does not make sense to us. Satan sees our questioning as an opportunity to create doubt. He tries to take that and run with it.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy... John 10:10
This is where we do not let Satan win. This is where we need to remember that we are not on this earth for our happiness. We are placed here for God's glory. When we align ourselves with Him, we will find joy and peace. Quite often happiness comes with joy and peace, but it is not the source of those. The second part of John 10:10 is this:
...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
So yes, we will experience sorrow and grief and pain and illness. However, the Lord does not let our suffering go unnoticed nor unused.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3
This is a hard one, because when we read that, we tend to insert 'happiness' instead of joy. Of course we are not happy to face trials and certainly not at the loss of a loved one. However, we can find joy when we rely on the Lord to get us through our loss.
...The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10
I am choosing joy. I will not let Satan rob me of it. I will not let him win. Our God has power over him, so I will submit to God and find joy.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
The bible tells us many times that we will have tribulation. We must decide if we are going to overcome it by trusting in the Lord, or let it overcome us.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15
So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. John 16:22
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
We have a choice. We can be overflowed with joy and peace and hope in the midst of our suffering. We are filled with the Holy Spirit when we trust in Jesus to be our Savior. We have the promise of eternal life with our Heavenly Father who loves us dearly and has a place prepared for us in our Heavenly home.
My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? John 14:2
A place prepared for us in eternity where we will not only have eternal life with our Heavenly Father, but eternal life with our loved ones as well.
I am choosing joy as I rest in the hope of eternal life.
