His Joy is my Strength...

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"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye." Psalms 32:8

Oh! how I needed to read this word from the Bible!  Lots of decisions and so much on my mind. Trying to figure things out and unnecessary concerns about things that were none of my business. Plus I'm retiring the end of this month...lots of changes...

John 21:20-24 talks about Jesus giving Peter the assignment of "Feed my sheep" and Peter asking Him what about that disciple, meaning John, and Jesus basically telling him "What is that to do with you?" In other words "Peter don't be distracted by how I use anyone else, but concentrate on what I ask you to do."  I think that was part of my problem plus I had heard some sad news about some folks that I love very much. It threw me into a tailspin of anxiety, but thank God for family and dear friends that talked me through it.  Have you guessed? I'm not perfect.  :-)  I'm just someone walking this life's journey that has to be reminded at times that I'm not alone in this.

What a blessing it is to have the joy of the Lord, I think I sometimes take it for granted, because when I don't have it I feel just awful.   His Joy is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). 

Through my late husband's long illness and passing, I think I learned how to put a cap on my joy because I did not know what each day would bring.  If I allowed myself to get too joyful, how could I be prepared to handle what may be sad? Sounds crazy, but very real. I am learning how to allow God's joy to be limitless in my life... to be happy and that's okay.  To not let things that I cannot change bother me so very much.

I have a painting on my wall with the inscription "To believe is to know that everyday is a new
beginning."  I love that...I may blow it today, but at least tomorrow as God wills, I get the chance to start over again with Him and by faith I WILL succeed! That I WILL enjoy this life that He has so blessed me with and allow His JOY to permeate my life!  Thank You Jesus for giving me a new chance, thank You for not giving up on me, thank you for loving me unconditionally!  Amen!

Comments

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said…
What a beautiful post, Veronica! A constant reminder to cast our cares on Him!
June 1, 2014 at 4:53 PM
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