Today (ok, it wasn’t today, I actually wrote this a few days ago, just being honest with you!) my devotional was on Luke 23:32-43, specifically the criminal on the cross next to Jesus who asked to be remembered. Jesus replied “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The devotional read:
What comfort that must have been despite the horrendous amount of physical suffering the criminal was experiencing. He knew that it would be but for a moment and then there would be peace. Eternal peace accompanied by unspeakable joy.
My question or thought running through my head is, are we to be joyful during that “moment” and if so, how? Is it joy in remembering the promise of unspeakable joy? We don’t have to feel joy because of the pain, right? Or am I missing something? And for me personally it isn’t physical pain but emotional/mental. Where is the joy in being in a constant state of anger, frustration, and feelings of isolation? How do I break this cycle if the suggestions say have a mentor, seek out friends, join a club, start a hobby if those things are not easily/readily available?
Am I not fully grasping the joy in serving? Have I forgotten or lost the love of what God has called me to do? Is satan sabotaging my heart into believing this is all there is so live with it? Or am I relying solely on an emotive level to having joy? Do I say I have joy in knowing that I’m serving God yet not “feeling” the joy? And really, what is joy!?
Well, I continued writing but saw this was getting too long so I deleted a paragraph or two. Could really use your honest and heart felt prayers for wisdom and discernment. Thank you friends.
Just before posting this our friend, Joseck, put this post and photo on Facebook:
When God’s agenda is fulfilled by His servants, the joy is unspeakable!
Am I being told something!?
Hear your pain friend. What I would tell you is simple but profound and perhaps you have already tried this, but I would tell you to try again and work it harder.
You need to grab scripture and work it, as if it is a chisel and you are a block of marble. Take 2 Cor. 9:8 as a starter, because you are in need of provision. You need to God to relieve your discontent with the status quo and provide you with peace or joy…whatever is better.
So many times, I have found myself in a hole and everytime the thoughts of what got me in the hole came to mind, I would repeat the scripture. Thank Him, Love Him and pound out that word until without thought…I was out of the hole. The Word and the blood are the only tools we need Rev. 12:11.
All your Grace Lord abounds to Tammy. She walks in your Grace, which gives her everything she needs for the day. Your Grace is sufficient; she thanks you for your grace over and over, because it is what she needs. I thank God, that Tammy has all sufficiency in all things. She has no lack of contentment, joy, peace and love. She has an abundance for every good work. Everything she goes to do, she has an abundance of joy, peace, contentment with what you have called her to, love for those around her and herself.
You need that scripture to own you, be you and the only way to make that happen is to speak it until it does…speak His Grace into being by speaking His Word. Hebrews says that He framed the world with His Word…Frame your world with His Word as well!
Put it on your mirror and in places to remind you to speak it. Chisel away the frustration and discontent of your situation and carve out someone that satan can’t mess with!
Love you sister…I will keep praying!
Gina