I grew up a Southern Baptist girl with the sounds of Gaither music swirling in the air, both at home and at church. When I thought of joy this morning, a Gaither song came to mind.
Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning ... I used to think joy meant happiness and laughing. I used to think sadness was the absence of joy. But now I know that joy isn't always a feeling.
I've learned that we can only know the fullest joy by going deeper in Jesus. Because once we do, we know Who's holding us in His great big capable hands. We trust that it'll all be okay, one way or another. We get that this isn't our home and these things don't matter nearly as much as we once thought they did. We could turn cartwheels over the prospect of spending eternity with Him in Person, every single day.
For me true joy is being wildly thankful, serenely at peace, and blindly trusting all at the same time. It's living life in relentless pursuit of Him and hanging on for dear life even through the tears and the turmoil. It's remembering that even if I can't smile now, I will again soon. It's knowing He's in control and He's already secured us and everything's gonna be alright.
Sometimes it all comes out in smiles and laughter, but the joy's still there when it doesn't. This is the truest, deepest, most amazing joy.
The joy of the Lord.
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
By Amy at Make Me a Mary
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Comments (2)
Absolutely agreed.
I know what you're saying....hanging on for dear life! Actually, I can't hold on tight enough myself - it's just what I want to do because He is so wonderful to me. He holds on to me, never to let go. I am His forever and that just fills me with His joy!