Discovering Joy

I have realized in the past few months that joy is definitely a discovery. No doubt in my mind at this point, there are times when you have to venture out of the tough moments to discover the joy that God has for you to give you strength to get through to the end of the circumstance. His word tells us, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10b


I had to read and reread this verse a couple of times. Was He asking us not to grieve but to give thanks and discover joy in all circumstances? I was a bit confused, I just didn't understand how you can not grieve over some of the circumstances I know that we are all facing today.

I thought back to our Bible Study group this week as I listened to other wives share through tears over circumstances that they are going, or have, been through. I heard grief in those tears, but as they continued to share I heard the joy revealed as they shared how they discovered His joy in their suffering. Not one of those who shared mention they regretted their tough circumstance! Amazingly, their joy discoveries were the presence of God; He was a provision of peace like they have ever felt before. Grace and restoration; He carried them through when they were unsure of how they could get through the moment!


Today, at this very moment, I am facing another 'circumstance.' I have a choice; either I will grieve during this moment or I will discover joy. The mission to discover joy for me today will certainly be a bit of a challenge, but God has never asked me to do it alone, but to know that the joy of Him is my strength! I can also know that He has promised to show me many discoveries of joy that I can use to dry my tears during this moment.


The most blessed discovery that I have made regarding joy is this:


"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14


What a relief! We are not expected to be perfect in our circumstances - I hope you'll agree that this has to be the greatest discovery of joy of all!


Discovering joy in Him,


Sheryl