BEAUTY FROM ASHES

“You have 10 days…” Just 10 days to figure out such a huge and complicated issue.

Prior to this conversation, God had been speaking to us very clearly about the fruits of the Spirit. We had shared with the kids in the children’s home about love and how they could show love to others. But now it was time to talk about joy.  I have learned that the Thai government is not too keen with allowing foreigners to stay in their country. It is extremely difficult to obtain a volunteer visa or work permit for the missionaries working in Thailand. But we were certain that God would make a way through, despite the difficulties we were facing with the visas. 

God was teaching us that joy meant choosing to rejoice in spite of the uncertainty and the chaos. 

To choose joy is to not be affected by the sorrow or disappointments and shifting our focus from God but rather, drawing strength from Him. “Joy doesn’t come from trying to hold it all together but rather when we let God hold us.” 

To choose joy is choosing to step back and rejoice in the midst of chaos, knowing that God has better and greater plans for us. 

To choose joy is to have gratitude in our hearts; focusing not on how big the trial is but on how great and mighty our God is. Instead of complaining, we praise Him for what He is doing and will do. 

The missionaries and I felt in our hearts that God was trying to teach us a lesson. We were so focused on how enormous our problems were that we shifted our focus off God. God was showing us that we could either choose to cry and mope or we could choose to rejoice and trust Him. Could we really choose joy? Could we really hand it all over to God? We prayed together and asked God to overflow our hearts with joy. In the midst of our frustration, we wanted to choose joy as God had told us.

From that day on, whenever we found ourselves in a hard situation we would remind each other: “Hey, trust God and choose joy!” I found it hilarious when one of our girls in the children’s home saw me stressed out over something insignificant and she immediately smiled saying: “It’s gonna be ok. Just choose joy and trust God!” God just kept reminding me over and over again…rejoice! Having joy in the Lord, is our strength: “This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh. 8:10 NIV) 

When we choose to have joy over sadness, we place our hope in God and our faith begins to flourish and God in turn gives us peace “which surpasses all understanding”. (Phil 4:7 NKJV)
When we have joy, our hearts overflow with gratitude and praise! 

Whatever we’re going through, we have a choice to make. Will it be joy? Let’s remember that: “joy comes from seeking God first, and is nourished by faith, continued through our relationship with God and enriched by worship.” (Delight: Devotions for Finding Joy by Lifeway Students). 

Y   O   U   R     S   T   R   E   N   G   T   H 

#joy #rejoice #choosejoy #smileagain #trustgod #faith #hopeagain #yourchoice #strength #godisgreater #zerotohero #fyp

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