Overcoming Trials

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12 NIV

Remember we used to look at clouds? You would see a Lion and I would see an ice cream cone. We both saw something relevant but quite different. What do you see in this verse? It may depend on what has been going on in your life lately.

I think God has been putting me through some stuff, for reasons only He can know in detail. Not that I am ever 100% certain, but I tend to look back and draw conclusions on potential purposes later. One thing is for certain, I am being shaped. I am changing. Why? Because I am being forced to concede in certain areas where I never would have before, given options available. No options in this case. Lots of stuff happening over the past year which appear to be opening my mind up to a new way of thinking.

Where do we find joy in life? Two weeks in Miami beach might help, but that ain’t gonna happen any time soon. I could however, take a break from the hard work we have been doing one day this week, walk outside for 10 minutes and just sit and feel the sun on my face and shoulders. Still pretty nice in North Carolina in late October. After all, it’s the same sun they have shining down in Florida. Created by the Lord if you happen to believe that intelligent design prompted nature. What I have begun to contemplate, all things affect me only in the way I allow them to. In this case, I could lament and long for the time when I was younger and lived down there. Was a school teacher, had my summer off and went to the beach all the time. Or, I could acknowledge the present blessings afforded me now, including simple appreciation of things I have learned to take for granted.

See above the concept of finding joy in salvation. To be joyful when I contemplate a relationship with Him, even when the current dynamics have presented me with challenges. That, coupled with a willing spirit, might sustain me. As mentioned, how we do and how things are can be considered purely a function of how we let our environment affect us.

There is one guy I work with, have noted an admirable quality he possesses. Things do not bother him, because he chooses not to let them. A balancing act of sorts, involving perspective. You can care, even be concerned, but not held prisoner nor overwhelmed.

Find joy this week, there are so many reasons why I should.

Watch some tube with my wife and kids tonight, share with them and thank God for them. Project calmness, leadership and love. That’s what I long for, why not provide it? Maybe this perspective thing can actually become fun. Joyful even.