What is joy really? And if my strength comes from the joy of the Lord (Psalm 28:7, then what does joy of the Lord really look like? As I write these words, I'm struggling with a deep desire to be grumpy and complain. Most days I handle my husband's crazy shift-work schedule pretty well. But today? Well, today I feel like complaining. So how do I find joy and strength from the Lord? Enough to make me "burst out in songs of thanksgiving?"
How do you?
Here's the secret:
Focus on Christ. Focus on what He did for you (and for your sons) on the cross. I suspect we
Christians have a tendency to misunderstand the phrase, "placing our trust in Christ." Placing our trust in Christ isn't something we did once and never do again. Salvation may be a once and forever event, but trusting in Christ is ongoing. Trusting in Christ's work of grace on the cross to be important enough to change my grumpiness to gratefulness. Trusting in Christ's work of grace on the cross to get me through a rough day with my children. Trusting in Christ's work of grace on the cross to be enough when I'm enduring tantrums in thegrocery store. Trusting in Christ's work of grace on the cross when my sons choose their own will …"The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my
heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." ~Psalm 28:7
So what's the challenge: Read the 10 prayers about Joy, of course! I think we can probably pray them for ourselves too!!
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