Sometimes Joy is hard to find...

Lately, I have been feeling a little down. Things just don't seem to be going my way. I start to feel sorry for myself, then it moves on to not wanting to get out of bed, or go to work. Its a brief thought running through my head if even for the slightest moment, and yet its there. I look inward to try and figure out what is going on and I then begin to realize I am neglecting to look for the joy. Joy, as opposed to happiness is long term and constant. Even in the midst of the worst of times, joy settles in for the long haul. Its a comfort, a feeling, a knowing that God is there, and he is in control. Its so easy to become shortsighted when we are trying to pay the bills, or dealing with the loss of a job, or loved one. Even illness or simply a bad day at the office can zap us of our energy, make us cry out "Why me, Lord?". "What did I do to deserve this?", "Will I ever feel better again?" So many things can get in the way of our joy, IF WE LET IT.

When I sit back and dwell on the sadness, pain, depression, loneliness or whatever might be happening at the time, I can become so engrossed, that it feeds upon itself, getting stronger and more powerful. But one word can change it. GOD. And another. JESUS. And then it happens, something that reconnects me to my savior. A small bird might land on my windowsill, a gentle breeze might push the curtains gently across my face in the morning, or a kind word might be said. Its so much easier to find what's wrong with life, but when we put GOD in our way, right in front of our face, its very hard to ignore the joy and blessings he brings.

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior."

Habakkuk 3:17-18