Searching for Joy

When I was in college, all those years ago, my mother sent me a card that I really wish I still had today. On the front cover, there was a little guy wearing his rain slicker and holding an umbrella. There was a rain cloud above him and the card said, “Into every life a little rain must fall.” When I opened the card, the poor little guy was flying through the air sideways with rain and wind blowing right at him. The inside line read: “Followed by high winds and hail.” After the events of the past two weeks this card seems appropriate even today.

I love how God works. The minute I start a bible study called “Fight Back with Joy” all sorts of things start happening.  Since the study began I’ve seen two of my close friends deal with their moms who both have very serious illnesses and I’ve watched my friends in Southeast Texas get pummeled by Hurricane Harvey. Before I go in any further – warning to all my other friends – I’m only two weeks in to this six-week study to hang on!

In last week’s lesson, it talked about how Paul fought back with joy even while in prison as he sang praises to our Lord and witnessed to those that kept him captive. I’ve seen one of those prison cells and if Paul can fight back with joy in a cell that he couldn’t even stretch out in, then surely, I can fight back with joy in my day to day first world problems and frustrations. I’ve watched Amanda have an amazing attitude and find a sense of peace as her mother spends her last days here on earth. She knows her mother will soon see Jesus and that one day they will all be reunited. I’ve watched Jennifer evacuate her house and come back to start the rebuilding process. All while saying that she didn’t feel devastated at all. In fact, she felt hopeful and blessed.  Now that’s how you fight back with joy!

Now that football season is in full swing I’m betting that I’m going to have multiple opportunities throughout the next few weeks to fight back with some of my own joy. My job gets extremely busy this time of year and then when you add on the crazy schedule of my coach we are already exhausted and challenged and it’s only week one of the season. Exhaustion makes me cranky which makes finding joy even more of a challenge.  When you add to that the stresses of work, the stresses of football season, the inevitable of something breaking at the house, i.e. the air conditioner, the hot water heater, the dishwasher disposal, etc. (all of which have happened to me personally), finding joy becomes a greater task.  While pondering all of that, it got me to thinking. Maybe finding my joy isn’t as hard as I had originally thought.

As with all things I need to go to scripture to help me find my joy. It’s right there and it’s there a bunch! Here are just a few examples.

Psalms 126:5 (KJV) - They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

James 1:2 (NIV) - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

Job 8:21 (NIV) - He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

Galatians 5:22 (KJV) - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,…

Habakkuk 3:18 (KJV) - Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Acts 13:52 (KJV) - And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

Philippians 1:3-4 (KJV) -I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy.

Do you see it?  Can you feel it?  As the song says,

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart!
Where?
Down in my heart!
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Down in my heart to stay

The joy has been there all along. I just forget to look for it from time to time. Now that I’ve got it right here in front of me, it’s up to me to remember it on a daily basis. It’s up to me to pull that joy out and fight back with it even on the days I’m experiencing the high winds and hail. I hope when you’re experiencing the high winds and hail that you too, can find the joy!

Cheering you on,
Laurel