Joy! It is time to focus on joy!
This week, I realized something again. We can easily take something for granted until we don’t have it. It can be hard, so hard to do without, to feel stuck. Something that does is makes whatever it is more precious when we once again have it. It also helps us grow.
The winter is hard for those of us who are isolated. I feel it. I live it. It also makes our joy greater. We appreciate the little things more. Lonely? The visit or phone call from a friend or family member is more special. Weak? A day with somewhat more strength becomes precious. Joy comes in the things that others do not give a thought to. In the midst of all of that, we can also be growing in our spiritual walk and in our relationship with Jesus. God can use the hard to help us mature.
For instance, after being very stuck in for a long time due to the weather and health, we had a warmer day yesterday. I was able to go for a drive. For a multitude of health issues, I am not able to enter any place with a lot of people or allergens or without a completely cleared parking lot. All I could do was get out for a drive. But, I was able to get out for a drive! The sun was shining. It was beautiful. It felt like freedom. The hard made the good even better. As I looked back on the weeks of isolation, I realized that through them God was doing a work in my heart.
James 1:2-4 talks about joy in trials. Are we joyful because of the trial, no, but because of what it brings.
“2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
A children’s song comes to mind. We have joy in our hearts!
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