Finding Joy In All Things

 

“It’s amazing that when you look at what you have, instead of what you won’t or don’t have, you usually see that in one form or another you’ve gotten what you wished for. “  Sara Frankl

Did you know that the most repeated command in the Bible is “give thanks?”  I had no idea until I read that statement.  Knowing that God asks us to “give thanks” in all things really challenged me and I had to ask myself if I had a heart that was overflowing with gratitude and joy so I did some digging in the Scriptures and I thought I would share those with you.

In Colossians 1:9-11 it says, “may you be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so as to walk in a manner fully pleasing of Him, being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,”   What exactly is this joy that is mentioned here?

I read the following in my morning time with the Lord this morning. "Biblical joy is a perpetual gladness of the heart which stems from knowing, experiencing, and trusting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christian joy is unaffected by outward circumstances. We look at Jesus to understand true joy: “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus knew that the will of God for His life was to suffer the utmost pain by dying on the cross to save us, sinners. Yet, despite Jesus’ excruciating death, he remained joyful, because Jesus understood the supreme glory that his death and resurrection bring God daily.” Annie Harris

Wow!  Can you imagine being joyful even as you are being executed on a cross?  I don’t know if I could have done the same thing that Jesus did for us.

Jesus had three kinds of joy that are mentioned in the Bible: Abounding joy, abiding joy and abundant joy. This is the same joy Jesus wants us to have. How to we find or have that same kind of joy? We can have that same joy by first surrendering our lives to Him. Then depending on God to see us through and not depending on our own strength. Also, obeying His commands will bring us joy and cause us to rejoice because His joy is in us.

Gratitude in all things is God’s will for us and it’s based on trusting his unfailing love.  We shouldn’t base our practice of gratitude on the circumstances of our lives.  They can change in a heartbeat.  One thing to remember is that our life without joy is meaningless and true joy can only truly be found in Jesus.

Have a blessed and joyful day!

Emily

We Are A Reflection of God

"We have been created with a soul which means we have been given an eternal nature. Therefore, you and I  are a reflection of God our Creator." 

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”  God who created Heaven and Earth in the seven days of creation saved the best creation for last - Mankind! His very own reflection.   Genesis 1:27 says, "And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

God created us in His image and made us each uniquely. Psalm 139:14 says, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!"  As a Christian and as one who professes to follow Christ I am called to represent or reflect Him in my actions, my thoughts and my words.  Why?  So that others may see the love, grace, and kindness He has brought into my life.  By reflecting God’s attributes in all I say and do my hope is that others will want to know Him too.  

In the Bible, there are several times where we are encouraged to reflect God. John 8:12 says, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” We are to reflect God and shine His light to others, as His light is shines onto us. When I said “Yes” to Jesus I was filled with a “spiritual light” that shines so that others can see God’s goodness and grace and love.  

Every day we are faced with stressful situations whether they be with friends and family, or with strangers that we meet as we go about  day to day. It’s in those times that we can either be quick to react negatively, or look at the each incident through God’s eyes with love, understanding, and patience. I read once that it is easy to show God’s goodness when we are in a positive place both mentally and emotionally, but our true image and character are conveyed most in the situations that we cannot control. That’s such a true statement.  When we  walk close to God we can find peace and understanding in each situation.  Each situation helps us to grow in God and all He has to offer us.  

 My hope and prayer is that every time I reach out in love, act in kindness, soften my heart in forgiveness, show a little extra patience, and follow through in faithfulness, that others would experience the character of God through me. 

 May you all have a very blessed day and remember Jesus love you very much!  

 Emily 

National Daughters Day - A Mother's Confession!

My husband and I have been blessed with two beautiful daughters and three handsome sons.  I love all five of our children equally but I have to admit back when I was birthing children there was something so exciting when the doctor would say, “It’s a girl!!”   I remember after hearing those words with babies #2 and #5  I would say to myself.  Oh yes!!  I get to purchase all the dresses and bows and girly toys like dolls, Barbies and tea sets. 

 Things were smooth sailing raising the girls until they hit around age 12 and then I have to admit rough waters began.  When I think back to those years I wish I could have a redo but I know that’s impossible.  My parenting “girl” skills were not the best and when you combined that with all the hormones of them becoming teenagers it was a collision course for rocky times.  I have to admit mothering the girls in their teen years was hard and I put most of the blame on me.  When the girls would clam up  . .. so would I.  They didn’t talk to me so I didn’t really talk to them.  I felt like they were pushing me away and didn’t want anything to do with me so I just sadly did nothing out of hurt.  This is something I wish I could go back and change.  

Author Paul Tripp states that this strategy of mine was a parenting mistake on my part.  He says, "Sadly, I am afraid, many parents accept the moat that teenagers tend to build around themselves. They adjust to the lack of time and relationship with their teen who, only a few short years ago, wanted to tag along with them everywhere they went. They quit talking when their teenager quits talking. So, at the point where significant things happen, which the teenager was never meant to deal with alone, Mom and Dad are nowhere to be found.”

I know that the Bible commands me as a mother to teach and instruct our daughters in the ways of the Lord. (Proverbs 1:8).   The Lord wants us involved with our kids and that process definitely requires a relationship.  For me to have any kind of influence over my daughters it requires me to be close to them, be actively consistent and involved in their worlds even if they act like they don’t want it.  What I should have done was been more involved and more intentional about creating that relationship with my girls whether they wanted it or resisted it.   Thankfully the Lord forgave me for my mistakes and my girls did too.  There have been some very rough years which I take the blame for but thankfully the Lord heals and restores and that’s what He did with me and my girls.  Are things perfect today?  No but they are getting better with each passing day.  

If you and your daughter/daughters are having a rocky time or you fear you are on the road to that go to the Lord in prayer.  The Lord wants to hear our prayers concerning everything but especially our prayers for our children.    Author J.C. Ryle encourages parents with this quote, "The Lord is far more willing to hear than we to pray; far more ready to give blessings than we to ask them — but He loves to be entreated for them. . . . I suspect the child of many prayers is seldom cast away.”   . So never forget that prayer is the key to accessing our daughter’s heart so with faith and boldness we can ask Him to restore or strengthen our mother-daughter relationships. 

Building a close mother/daughter relationship can take time especially if there has been hurt and mistrust but don’t let that stop you from building and developing a friendship with your daughter/daughters again.  Keep the Lord in the center of it all and He will be there to see you through it all!  How do I know . . .. because He did it for me and my girls.  

Finding Refuge In God During Times of Hardship

 “In order to find security in God, we have to stop finding security in everything else. …Nothing in this world will offer you the security you have in God.”

Last week on #EmilysPinkPosts I shared with you the first of three verses that have helped me through this last month.  The first was Psalm 56:3, “When I am afraid I will trust in You.”  This verse reminds us that anytime we are having a situation we can’t control and fear tries to grip us that if we put our total trust in God He will see us through no matter what we are facing.  Once we trust put our trust in God what do we do next?  

In those troubling times God gives us life giving words that can be found in Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  Trouble shows itself in many forms - illness, financial hardship, relationships, loss of a loved one and much more.  When troubles come our way they in a sense threaten us, they leave us feeling vulnerable to the unknown and they leave us feeling empty and helpless.  But I have good news!  God is our refuge and we can run to Him and He will shelter us from the storm.  He is our protector and He is always there to help us.  He gives us strength when we are weak and at our lowest point.  This verse reminds us that when we run to God for that refuge we don’t need to fear.  

The Hebrew word for refuge is chacah and means “to flee for protection, to confide in, to put one’s trust in.” The dictionary defines a refuge as a shelter or protection from danger, trouble, or to take refuge from a storm. It’s a place of safety, or anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape.  

There are three distinct practical ways that God is our refuge.

1.  We find refuge when we go to the Father in n prayer.  God is a Person in which to confide our troubles.  He wants us to cry out to Him and share with Him our fears, what’s causing our anxiety, stress or worry.  He wants us to be totally honest and share exactly what we are thinking and what we are going through.   Psalm 142:2 says, “I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him.”  and Psalm 34:17 says, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears and recuses them from all their troubles.”  

2.  We find refuge when we commit ourselves to obeying the Word of God no matter what the cost.  God’s Word is a Place of protection and safety when we find ourselves in trouble and it’s true the place we must run to in times of trouble. God truly becomes our refuge we we trust His Word more than we trust what the world says or what even our own feelings are saying.  God’s Word is the only place we will find security and protection because it truly is the only source of truth.  Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”  

3.  We find refuge when we depend one the Spirit of God to lead us, empower us and sustain us through every trial or hardship we go through.  God’s Spirit provides the Power to sustain us through our troubles and He has provided a way for Him to be with us and that’s through His Spirit.  Jesus knew we need the power of the Holy Spirit to help us.  He promised His disciples that after He returned to the Father, that He would send us the One who is that very present helper.  We find refuge when we depend on the Spirit of God to lead us, empower us, and sustain us through whatever we are going through.

When you walk with God on a daily basis and commune with Him daily we truly can feel more confident when we face problems or hardship or trials.  He will give us what we need to endure any hardship we face here on earth.  We hen we believe in God and truly believe He is our refuge and strength we can face even the most dangerous or difficult situations with total confidence because God is with us.