Finding joy

 The grass is always greener on the other side isn’t it?  When I was a little girl I thought my life would just be amazing and perfect only if… I was thinner… or didn’t tower over everyone else with my ginormous daddy long legs!   As I got into junior high and high school I thought life would be just dandy if I could buy clothes like all the “cool girls” from The Limited or any number of other popular clothing stores for teens back in the day. Maybe if I had a better car, or a nicer home…

My husband and I have talked many times about the “things” that we wanted.  A bigger TV.  Maybe if I could finally lose weight!  Well, guess what… I did that, too.  And still, it wasn’t enough. We search and search for happiness.  I have even been guilty of counting on my husband or turning to friends to make me happy…or even food..  But you know what- there is no house big enough, no sack of money large enough, no dessert sweet enough  to  fill up that empty feeling we have.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Philippians 4:4

The first time I felt overwhelming joy and peace was the moment I surrendered my life to Jesus. I finally realized that I couldn’t keep searching for things or looking to other people to make me happy.  Happiness is a fleeting emotion that comes and goes.  Joy is having the love and peace of Christ living within you, filling you up, moment by moment.  Joy is knowing Him and receiving His abounding grace and living in fellowship with HIm each and every day.   Joy is knowing that each day we are here on earth and each breath we take is a precious gift- one that could be taken away at any moment.  Joy is knowing that there is more to life than the “things” of this earth.

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7

The more I seek Him, the sweeter this verse becomes.  I thank Him for every blessing He has given me- including my husband, who so eloquently expresses through poetry the endless search for peace and joy in the poem below.   He wrote the words, and I put it to song.  May He continually give you peace and joy as you seek Him!

Click here to hear the song-

“Deceived”

The things I think will bring me joy,  

The newest car, the latest toy

Are nothing but the Devil’s ploy

To keep my eyes from you

 

What I think is love is only lust 

Consuming fire that fades to dust

A poisonous distraction just 

To turn my eyes from you

 

I’ve been deceived

The world’s not what I thought it was

Deceived

I can’t get what I want because

The Devil’s covered up my eyes

And whispered in my ears his lies

But truth is such a sweet surprise

 

My faith is shifting like the sand

It’s always making me demand

Proof that you are in command

And that your word is true

 

Peace is missing from my life

Replaced by arguments and strife

And worry stabs me like a knife

But I know this is true:

You give me joy no matter what my circumstance

The love you showed has given me a second chance

You give me faith that’s firm in your unchanging grace

And peace is mine when I make the time

To seek Your face.

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