Just last night my husband and I were reminiscing. Story after story flooded our minds. We laughed. Despite the difficulties and challenges over the nearly three years of marriage.
In the heat of the struggles, the difficulties; believe me we were not laughing. We got frustrated, angry with God. We cried and screamed. When things did’t go our way; the way we planned, it was a fight. A fight against our wills: ours and God’s.
As we shared these stories and remembered their details we saw God’s faithfulness through it all. Despite our flesh. Despite our nature. God grows us. He loves us that much. He doesn’t give up on us.
God desires us to see our life through His eyes. He wants us to put on His googles. God gives us His Holy Spirit. Through this gift we can see this world, our circumstances through His eyes. The Spirit lives inside us. We don’t even have to go purchase the equipment, the special goggles. They are within reach. Just inside the heart. We don’t have to go far to find His guidance. We don’t have to travel to exotic places or spend money to have this gift. This gift that sets our hearts and minds free of frustration and anger.
Our daughter will be one this summer. Already I am noticing her human nature. The fight of wills. The desire to have things go her way. The frustrations. She can’t reach the toy. She falls when trying to walk. Mom left her sitting on the floor. These are the struggles. The weaknesses all people share.
We can get angry and frustrated. These emotions are real. Even Jesus got upset. But we can’t sit in these emotions. We can’t let bitterness take root in our hearts. Bitterness is the “Round Up” in our hearts. It chokes out the Gift. It brings death to our hearts. With the Holy Spirit we can be alive. Alive in Christ. He is the “Miracle Grow.” He feeds and waters our hearts. He turns our difficulties, challenges into growth…flowers…joy. He turns our red anger into joyous laughter. Not because we enjoy these seasons, these difficult circumstances but because of the power of the GIFT, the power of JOY!
James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ESV
Colossians 2:2-3 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden alll treasures of wisdomand knowledge. ESV
Yes, joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit that was given to me at salvation. I only need to open it each day, especially on those days when trials come my way -when things don’t go my way, when I am critical of those closest to me, when I am tired. Help me, Lord, to see the joy in each and every situation. The power of Joy can do far more for my attitude than anything I can muster up on my own.