JOY IN THE “OKAY” TIMES
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13, ESV
Theme: Be filled with the hope, joy, and peace given by the power of the Holy Spirit.
PUTZING ALONG
Sometimes, our lives just seem to stay on track, and we are happy and healthy, or, as my dad would say, “fat and sassy.” In those times, our circumstances produce the “aah” of coming home after a productive day at work, and our need for peace and contentment are just automatically met. There is something to be said for routine, a baseline of health, a sense of homeostasis: everything seems to be in balance and equilibrium within our lives and bodies.
A SMALL PEBBLE
But it doesn’t last long. Ever gotten a pebble in your trainers while on a run or a kernel of popcorn under your gum? Things like a fever blister, a paper cut, or a corn on your toe can make your whole life “ache.” It’s not actual, but the bump of your foot or the routine typing of your job can make these small injuries impossible to ignore. And it doesn’t take long for our outlooks and attitudes to sour.
Add to these the small slight directed at you in a meeting, the perceived snub from a friend, or the dressing down you got from your boss in front of the whole team! These emotional hurts, even very small overlooks, can create a dark mental cloud. We lose faith in people, assume we are unloved and unworthy, and sink into sadness or even depression.
FOCUS
If my daily focus is on Jesus, Source of peace and Giver of joy, then my sprained ankle or ear infection are not “the end of the world” I could easily take them to be. I can overlook the offense. If I am used to keeping Jesus as my goal and my priority, I am developing the habit of looking to Him, not my situation, to set the mood for my life. This decision to keep believing He is in control, and He is working for my good becomes even more important when I am hit the hardest.
CRUNCH TIME
When the rubber meets the road, when we’re between a rock and a hard place, when our choices seem to be the fire or the frying pan (whatever metaphor you want to use!), it matters. The routine habit of having hope, joy, and peace can be supernaturally empowered in that horrible situation, so that despite the diagnosis or outcome, you are still abounding in hope. Despite your friend’s betrayal, you remember you have a Forever Friend! You have an eternal perspective and unshakable faith.
Make It Personal: Are you feeding your hope and joy daily with a good dose of Jesus? Do you sense His peace filling your heart? In the moments when things get far beyond your control, and your habit of turning to Jesus still leaves you confused and bereft, pray for the Spirit. Ask Him to comfort and give you abounding hope in God.
Pray: Lord, Daily, even in the good and easy times, help me to seek You. Give me a hunger and thirst to remain in Your presence and stay focused on You and Your plan. In the hard times, Spirit, help me! Empower me to keep trusting, keep seeking, and stay near to God so that He can heal me, lift me up, give me hope and peace and joy that is indescribable and unexplainable. May Jesus be glorified by my testimony of hope, joy, and peace in the very worst situations. In His Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Psalm 69:17-18, 51:7-9, 42:1-5; Proverbs 18:24; 2 Corinthians 4:7-14
Weekly Memory Verse: “The the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6b, NIV