In all of life’s circumstances we are handed a choice as to how we will respond.
There’s only two choices, really.
We can respond with sorrow.
or
We can respond with joy.
To experience full life, there’s only one choice.
We must choose joy.
The choosing is never easy.
To chose joy doesn’t mean that we are happy about our circumstances.
It does mean that we are accepting what we have been given, trusting that God is in ultimate control of our lives and of our futures.
It means that we are purposing in our hearts to be content.
Joy is hard when children are sick, when husbands leave for deployments, when friendships fail, when we face uncertain days, and when life is just plain hard.
Joy is not the easy choice, but making that choice brings peace and contentment in the midst of the hard.
I’m linking up with 5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama where we are asked to write for 5 minutes…no editing, no overthinking, and no backtracking.
This week’s prompt was chosen to honor Sara. Sara was a fellow blogger, faithful to 5 Minute Friday. I often read her posts and she has commented on mine before.
Sara’s life commitment was to Choose Joy, no matter what the circumstances. And her circumstances were hard.
Sara has been sick for a long time and she is at the end of her life’s journey. It was found out this week that Sara is dying.
In the words of Lisa Jo, “We believe that dying’s not the end. We believe that Jesus is waiting there to tell her well done on a mighty race incredibly, bravely run.”
Wild Optimist says
Stopping over from gypsymama, and glad that I did. A great post on how many times we get to choose in a day, in big and small ways. Hoping that today’s joy rains in abundance. . .
Jace says
I love the reminder that joy is being content. Being still in the turmoil. Resting… Visiting from Gypsy Mama today. Happy Friday!
Lauren says
Amen! It really is a choice…good approach, I wrote from that perspective also. Thanks for sharing!
Barbie says
It seems so easy, the choosing of this joy. It’s hard at times. But I want to learn to trust God and know that it is from Him where my help comes from. Thank you for this beautiful post.
Kim says
You hit it on the head when you said that choosing joy doesn’t mean we’re happy with our circumstances, but that we are trusting in God. Who knows what we will learn, how we will grow, what opportunities may become available because of the more difficult times in our lives?
My your day be joy-filled.