Finding Joy

Rejoice always,

pray without ceasing,

in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of 

God in Jesus Christ for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As I was studying today, 

I read something that I find true.

It is the way I try to live.

There are 3 things 

God wants us to do all the time...

rejoice, pray and give thanks.

They are the secret to a joy-filled life.

Rejoicing always may seem impossible 

in every situation in life,

but while happiness or

our feelings of joy may 

rise and falter,

our reasons for joy are a constant.

Joy comes from our relationship with God,

not our circumstances and situations.

As we rejoice,

we are putting our joy into action.

Prayer and thankfulness

follow along naturally.

We can be thankful in all things.

Maybe not thankful for all situations,

(like a job loss, or a death,)

but in the midst of these hard times,

He provides reasons to be thankful.

Focusing on those reasons

gives us reason to rejoice and 

then be prayerful and grateful.

Praying without ceasing

keeps our relationship with God consistent.

I am praying without ceasing.

I am trusting God to hold me and my family,

to give the surgeons what they need

to heal Miss Ollie.

I believe she will be healed.

But, I know in my heart 

He will always be my God.

His will, not mine, be done.

I will post surgery time tomorrow

just as soon as I hear the word.

xoxo