Encouragement

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THOUGHTS OF JOY

By
Frances L. Carroll
© 2008

• “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8: 10bESV
• “But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. “ Psalm 4:3 ESV
• “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 ESV

I found out this week that I was lacking in steadfast joy. While trying to help an alcoholic man by providing him with some of the essentials of life, he made some drunken remarks about me as I stood before him. Stating that I was as broad as I was tall and a few other comments I allowed his comments to hurt me. While this statement holds merit, I am who I am and Christ knows who I am. Built like my mother’s family, short, stocky and not on the slender side at all. It is a battle that I have struggled with for many years and I was hurt by the careless remarks of a man who was making idle chatter.

Instead of being strong in my joy, glad of who I am in Christ, I allowed the words this man spoke to me to remind me of how unattractive I am to the “real world”. Instead of being happy with how God saw me, I allowed myself to be judged by the world. Our joy comes from Christ who lives in us, Christian friend, not in how the world sees us. The inner person, the one guided by the Spirit, holds a portion of the character of our adopted Father God, and He views us as His precious children.

Keep your thoughts and attentions focused on what is important, your relationship with God the Father and Jesus our Lord and Savior. Remember that we are merely passing through and our eternal home is secure because of Christ.

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