Choosing Joy

My devotion the other day was on joy and how real joy comes from the fullness of Christ Jesus. Satan uses so many different weapons against us to try and steal our joy. Discouragement, weariness, disillusionment, shattered dreams and unrealized goals are just a few. We can not avoid pain but we can avoid joy. The pursuit of joy is a matter of choice. Satan can only use what we allow him to use. It is so easy to give into the stress and frustrations of our every day life.

It has taken us 14 days to do a 3 day job and it is still not finished. We are only 60 miles from our destination but because we have an oversize load we can't get permits to get to the job site. The bridges are either too low for us or there is road construction that we can't go through. We have been "stuck" in Ohio for 7 days. Lots of stress going on here. Satan is really trying to steal our JOY.  I told Carl that I know everything will be just fine. God is in control. So many times we think it's the bigger problems or more painful ones that steal our joy but it's the every day issues and the little things that the enemy puts in our path to make it an every day struggle.

Joy is not the result of outward circumstances. Joy is an inside job, a deeply rooted confidence that God is in control.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.   James 1:2

I choose Joy!!! I pray you will as well!

Have a blessed day!
                    Lynne                                      
                                                                                                        

The load that is trying really hard to steal our joy.   (15'5 high and 13'6" wide)