There are so many things that I would love to say to other girls my age. One of them is about how important joy is. There are so many bumps and detours on the road while following God, and I often see friends growing discouraged and disappointed, as I also have at times. Yet God offers us this amazing power that will comfort us and keep the trials in this life from overwhelming us. In the New Testament, James urges us to consider it pure joy when we face trials, because when our faith is tested, it develops perseverance, which makes us mature and complete children of God. Joy is not based on our circumstances. I have found that it is not a feeling, but rather a choice. Faking that you are happy even when your life is falling apart is not what joy is. Joy is choosing to life with the peace that transcends all understanding, because we know that this life is not all that matters. When we know that God has everything under control and that we are going to be with him soon, we can relax. Not only does joy glorify God, but its alternative, worry, is less than desirable. Let joy be in your mind, take pleasure in the moment, serve others, and remember how powerful God is. With him in control of your life, no trial thrown in your path will be able to trip you. Keep your eyes upon your Savior and step over it with a smile.
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i realize that as a christian you're coming to this from a christian perspective, but--and please, i ask you this not because i enjoy being preached to, so please leave religion out of your answer--what would you say to someone of a different religion, or someone who was an atheist, if you were trying to get the same message across without using god?
--stacie
I would personally say to them that true joy is found only in Christ. Happiness (the root word being happenings or circumstance) is based on what is going on around us, so I would tell them that they can experience all of that they want, if their circumstances are ones that make them happy. But joy on the other hand, pure joy, comes from knowing that God is in control. In the Bible, Paul spoke of joy when he was suffereing in prison, sitting in a dark and cold cell. I am pretty sure that only this type of joy could have come from Someone higher than himself.
Bekka Joy
okay, that's fair, but to someone that doesn't believe in your religion and, furthermore, has less than zero desire to be converted, not only did you not answer my question, but you specifically went against how i phrased it.
personally, i'm usually quite happy in my daily life, and maybe you don't believe that because your religion doesn't allow you to believe it, but i think i can decide for myself the accuracy or "truth" of my emotions, thanks.
so again i ask, what would you say to someone without using religion to back it up? (and i realize you're not the original author of the blog, but still, the question stands)
--stacie
Thank you for that encouragement. James 1:2-3 is one of my favorite verses; it has seem me through some pretty tough times!
Bekka Joy
Oh yeah, and I must say...I love having my middle name as that little four letter word that means so much!
Bekka Joy
but...
...
...joy is only three letters long.
--stacie
http://progressiveu.org/222330-it-takes-strength-to-listen
that's weird... i didn't see this post before i wrote mine, but i have a lot of the same ideas that you wrote about. i guess most people have similar thoughts though. just different ways of voicing them.