Joy Unspeakable
I've had a few rough days recently. I never know what's ahead, so when it's a hard day I have to be careful to protect my heart and live above the circumstances. It's so important not to let my health challenges drag me down emotionally and spiritually.
A friend recently learned of some big health issues. She said "I didn't sign up for a character building course, but I'm enrolled anyway." I chuckled, and thought how I could so relate.
I continually ask the Lord to fill me with His joy, and to protect my mind from negative thoughts. If I find my mind drifting to doom and gloom because of my situation....I stop myself and begin to speak out God's goodness and faithfulness. It shifts my focus immediately, and gets my thoughts and my emotions back to the place of having the "joy of the Lord" in my heart.
Besides our own individual situations, there are so many difficult and discouraging things happening in our world. It's easy to come under the heaviness of these things and become despairing. But if we become hopeless and defeated, the enemy wins. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus, pray for the difficult situations, speak out God's goodness and faithfulness, and keep hope alive in our hearts for all God wants to do. He rules over all!
"A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2
"Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you." Ephesians 1:18
"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Psalm 112:7
Through the past challenging years when I have walked through some of the hardest things, I've found that it is possible to have "joy unspeakable" as I allow the Holy Spirit to fill my heart and mind. I couldn't have survived if I had come under the cloud of all that was happening. But His power, grace, and strength helped me rise above those things and walk in His light and presence. He is so incredibly good!
About the author: Sally McClung is a member of the All Nations International Leadership Team and is co-founder of All Nations. Floyd McClung was a world-renown missions leader. Floyd went to be with Jesus in 2021. He is the author of sixteen books, including the best-selling books, “The Father Heart of God” and “Living on the Devil’s Doorstep”.
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