Count it all joy...

Hard days come and go. Sometimes they linger for longer than we’d like…but it’s what we choose to do in the midst of the hard that really matters. How do we rejoice in the hard days? Our circumstances shouldn’t change our joy. Period. We won’t always be happy and ready to jump up and down about what’s currently taking place in our lives…but that’s not the joy I’m speaking of. We have to choose joy. It is a decision. It is a sacrifice that is heavily rooted in our faith in Jesus Christ.

I’m learning repeatedly the same lesson (because I so quickly forget and God has to keep reminding me and correcting my heart) that life isn’t about me. My dreams, my hopes, my plans…were all derailed the day I asked Jesus to be Lord of my heart. My life should have one purpose alone—to bring God glory. He reminded me this morning in my quiet time that my focus hasn’t been on Him. It’s been taken over with frustration and too much about the why’s and what if’s of my Bug. That’s not where He wants it. Focusing on Jesus will allow me to choose joy in every single minute of my day. Focusing on Jesus allows me to remember that this is my ministry. This life He’s called me to is my battlefield.  I have to count all things joy. James 1:2-3, My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy.  Your faith will be tested. You know that when this happens it will produce in you the strength to continue.

JOY=STRENGTH. That is how you make it through those hard days. Choosing to count it all joy. THIS day, is the day the Lord has made—I must REJOICE in it. Count it ALL joy. God didn’t say to pick and choose what makes me joyful.

*That diaper that I don’t want to change again on my almost 8 year old—count it joy.

*Those meds I don’t want to give to her because they change who she is—count it joy.

*Trying to walk her down the stairs without falling—count it joy.

*Seeing her attempt things she wants to do, but can’t—count it joy.

*Feeling defeated when I can’t do the things I want to with my kids—count it joy.

It’s likely that I’ll forget this again—and become weary and frustrated at the circumstances circling our family—but thankfully my great big God has a gentle way of continuing to remind me in a loving way that He does have a plan. It looks nothing like what I would envision. So far—I’m fairly certain that He’s done a good job of giving me a beautiful life. So—today, I’m going to count it ALL JOY. Rejoice in the hard, the good, the funny, the sad and the stinky parts too. ;)