I received a text which read, “Hey there, are you super busy?”
I shot back … “Nope! I’m home. I can call you as I take a walk soon. Or call me when you’re free.”
I didn’t hear from her so I decided to call her as I tied my shoe laces and headed out on my daily walk.
“Hello,” She cheerfully answered.
I asked. “Hey, what’s up friend?”
“Aw, thanks for calling me. I just needed someone to listen and I thought, I’ll call Rachel.“
She filled me in on ALL the things that had blasted her already that morning:
- Financial stressors
- Parental dilemmas
- Career questions
- A health concern
- Potential problems with a pet
- A packed schedule
Here’s the kicker… All of these things came on the heels of recent information which caused an earthquake in her family’s life. I mean an earthquake of seismic proportions. Hard news to swallow and painfully difficult steps to walk through had plopped into her lap just a week prior.
I listened while she explained what was goin’ on. I heard her giggle from time to time as she explained her situation. She maintained clarity and an awareness of her situation. She verbally processed, “I know this is a mixture of just normal life junk and the enemy attacks. But I’m thinking, ‘do you KNOW how big my God is?‘ Oh, the devil is not going to win.”
She did not whine. She simply assessed and moved forward. As I gathered info, I realized none of this was allowed to rob her joy.
She paused after she had explained in some detail all the traumatic stuff she was dealing with and handling. So I chimed in…”Let me ask you this, do you even know what an overcomer you are? Seriously, think of all that’s been thrown at you! None of it has robbed you of your joy. I’m sorry to laugh, but it’s laughable, right? You are amazing friend, Christ is strengthening you in the middle of the mess.”
I reminded her of one of my favorite quotes, “You know what Graham Cooke says, ‘If you are in Christ so are all your circumstances.'”
Think of the great strength inside of her. In the midst of the battle, she’s not being taken out. Wow! She is strong!
Let me turn a corner here…let’s consider some things about joy.
- Joy is found in His presence
- Because God is with us and we set him before us always – we will make it – we will not be shaken
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever more. Psalm 16:11
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
I don’t know what you’re facing today, but how you were facing it is more important than what you are facing.
Our response to our problem is more important than our problem. My prayer is that you would be surrounded and God would be the shield around you and the lifter of your head. And in that place of utter peace, nothing would rob your joy.
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NLT
Remain, abide, stay in Him. Because in His presence there is fullness of joy! And the JOY of the Lord is your strength.
I’m rooting for you the same way I supported my friend the other day. You’ve got this! Because God’s got this and He’s with you.
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https://www.amazon.com/Lily-Pads-Life-Stories-Display/dp/153366434X#immersive-view_1514758188298
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https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-deal/id1448869614?mt=2
rachel inouye 