Peace and Joy

Peace and Joy have been the theme of my life for several weeks. If I were a superstitious person, I'd be worried I would jinx myself by posting this. But, I'm not... so I'm going for it. I have been experiencing an unusual dose of peace and joy in my life. The reason? There are a lot of them. The MAIN one I can pin point is that I have been seeking God's guidance in EVERY aspect of my life. The result... He is guiding me along. Things have seemed pretty challenging and stressful during all of this and it has been amazing to me how seeking His help and following the spirit is giving me a sense of calm and confidence with so many things I am doing. The stress and challenges are there. I'm better able to deal with them because I KNOW He is there and aware of me and leading me along. I can FEEL IT. It is awesome. I've been *waiting* for something really dreadful to come along and put it to the test. Can I really feel this way all the time? Today... things began falling apart. I could feel the dread and panic trying to edge into my heart and mind. Nope. I want to face my trials with joy. I prayed for help and I was, once again, not disappointed. I took on each and every one of the falling pieces and found solutions to them and dealt with them. They are not all resolved, but many of them were. I was led to people and places that had the right answers to get me out of the bind(s) I found myself in. AND I felt happy as I went. I felt joy in the journey of this day. I KNEW I was being led along and that I would not be left to fall or falter alone in this. My mind was clear and calm and I was running like mad to keep up with all I knew I needed to do. It was great. It was energizing. I was in my element. Solving problems and making things happen. These were mountains. I wasn't climbing them... I was leaping over them. I still don't know what the ultimate outcome will be. It is of little concern to me what the outcome will be. It is more important to me that I am tackling the hard parts of life with JOY. Real happiness. I'm retraining the neurons to REMEMBER and ACT with Joy, Confidence and Courage. I'm facing life with Grit. About eight months ago, I began asking God to try me, purge me and refine me; Show me my weaknesses and turn them into strengths. I have not been disappointed and I say... Bring It On. It is hard, it is painful, it is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done. He keeps leading me down paths I never knew existed. Forget about me... I think EVERYONE should do this. Ask God some hard questions, LET HIM show you who you are and be willing to do what He would have you do. Try it. Test it. See just what miracles He will begin to perform in your life. See for yourself if you will begin to face YOUR trials with a new sense of ability. There's a lot to it. This is just a summary. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the WHY. There is an enabling power associated with the atonement that is accessible her and now and it is life changing.

Romans 14:11-23

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; 

but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

19 Let us therefore follow after the things 

which make for peace, 

and things wherewith one may edify another.

20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thingwhereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

The Holy Ghost is the one who communicates to me the peace and joy I feel in the midst of my trials. I didn't think it was really possible, but I asked and within a week, I have been blessed to experience this. My MOST favorite scripture lately has been this one:

Philippians 4:4-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: 

and again I say, 

Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but 

in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving 

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, 

which passeth all understanding, 

shall keep your hearts and minds 

through Christ Jesus.

I've read this scripture plenty of times. I've had moments of feeling that kind of peace. It can be felt all the time. At least, for a couple of weeks... I've felt it more consistently than understanding can comprehend. I should be a panicked bundle of nerves right now. I'm not. I'm still learning how to really make this a part of my life. I'm learning it CAN be. It takes consistent effort, determination, humility and a slew of other qualities I am trying to become. I know where it's coming from. From Christ. I give Him the credit for blessing my life in this way right now. I also know He would not be able to bless my life in this way if I wasn't seeking it and working for it and asking for it. It's true. I asked for it. Specifically, I said I want to be able to face my trials with joy. Then... He answered that prayer. It's how God works. He's patient and He wants to bless His children. I am completely humbled by what I'm feeling and seeing His hand guiding me and His eye watching over me. He is teaching me things I have only read about. Gratitude is just a word to describe what I don't have the words to express. Yep. I'll keep asking my questions and I will keep letting Him show me His way. As my friend keeps reminding me... God is good. This is phenomenal. More people should work to figure this out. Life is hard. That's not going to change. Facing the hard parts of life with peace and joy. That's a blessing only God could give. ...and it's not even Christmas. He gives good gifts to His children. Those gifts are available all year long. Come on, you know you want to give it a try. You want to trust God. Who else could you trust more?