Comments on: Joy is Remembering

By: Megan Lindsay

Megan Lindsay — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 04:37:12 +0000

I was raised in a home where indulgence in sadness, depression, and anger was encouraged, and learning to be joyful has been a constant struggle since coming to faith as an adult. I believe, but I still have a great deal of unbelief.

The amazing thing is — and I thank Him for this continually — that the Lord has given me a husband who has a great capacity for joy, and who has been unflagging these many years in teaching me how to be joyful too. Our first year of marriage was the valley of the shadow of death, and I can’t count how many times I lost hope. A dear elderly friend, who had been through more hardship than I can fathom, warned me one day that I was listening to Satan’s lies, and that I needed to tell him to “shut up”. Since Christ conquered death and sits enthroned over heaven and earth, hopelessness and despair are complete lies. And yet they are so easy to believe when our hearts, and our faith, are weak. Reminding myself of this battle has helped me numerous times in the middle of the night, when that dark silence and cold sleeplessness have crept in to discourage me. By the grace of God, this has been a really good start to practicing joy.

By: Becky

Becky — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 21:49:10 +0000

I think you’re right that it all boils down in the end to “who He is.” Wasn’t that what Job found out? And when the scriptures tell us to “fix our eyes on Jesus” that is a prescription for joy.

By: KArla

KArla — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 03:27:40 +0000

Wow, this is a great encouragement.
Thank you

By: Ruth Turner

Ruth Turner — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 03:19:40 +0000

Billie, I think we can often feel blue and though it is hard, we can make a choice to act happy, kind, etc. despite our feelings. I think the disobedience comes in when we let those blue emotions rule us which can often lead to hurting those around us.
This post is beautiful. Many thanks to the lady who wrote it and Mrs. Wilson for posting it. My tendency in difficult times is to “do”. I want to make everything “right” right now. So, my question would have more to do with when it is wise to “do” and try to change things and when wisdom simply requires endurance of hard circumstances.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 02:52:48 +0000

thank you…I’ve been realizing lately how joy is something totally different than what I thought it was; this expresses it well!

By: Billie

Billie — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 02:24:47 +0000

This has confused me on more than one occasion. When I’m in a blue mood, I often get blue-er (?) thinking that I’m disobedient because I don’t feel happy. But if joy is not the emotion of happiness, but faith in God and His goodness, then I shouldn’t feel guilty about being blue–unless of course, I’m blue over a sin rather than something like hormonal fluctuations…?? Is this right? I can definitely use clarification on this joy stuff!!!