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Teachable Moments: A Month of Joy

Happy July! While it's a little hard to believe, it is the 1st of July.

Our theme for this month of Sunshine and Thunderstorms is...


Today I would talk to you about joy, but I haven't been feeling very joyful lately. While I'm thankful for what I have and who I am, joy seems to be lacking. I've found myself these past two months being frustrated more than anything else. Frustrated with my circumstances, yet at the same time I don't seem to be in a big rush to undergo another life change anytime soon. Life change takes a lot out of a person, especially if you are like me and dislike undergoing major life transitions.

I realized the other night what may be the root of all my frustration. I realized that I was looking to other people to encourage me and fill my heart up. I may have even expected it of some of them. This is where I fell down. Instead of abiding in Christ and asking him to help me as I deal with my circumstances, seeking HIM to fill my heart up, I sought this from my family and friends and found myself frustrated and disappointed at their failure to make my heart full.

Something I've learned during my years living away from my family is that I am really good at seeking God when the people who mean the most to me are far away, but when I finally come home, the distractions of comfort consume me and I start to spend less time seeking God and reading his word. This is a pretty dangerous place to be at because "the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) And I know that when I am not watching for him, he is surly watching me all the closer. 

 For that reason, I ask you to join me this month in being extra-intentional about seeking God. It is my hope that you will take time to listen to God with me, pealing open his word piece by piece, in order to learn the mysteries within that teach us how to live (love) better. 
Let's find our Joy by seeking Christ.

 1 Peter 5:6-11
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
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Comments

  1. Sophia ReedJuly 1, 2014 at 11:22 PM

    I get exactly where you are coming from. Recently I have been very frustrated as well. It had to search for the source of my frustration and it was mostly because I was worried about what other people were thinking or what other people were saying. I found I had to reflect and not be worried about what others thought about me, but what God thought about me. It made me feel better, and this is something I constantly have to do to ease my frustrations.

    ReplyDelete
  2. HillaryJuly 3, 2014 at 12:08 AM

    Yes, Spending time with God is such a great way to rest. Every time I come back to God after a long day I realize just how much I need him.

    ReplyDelete
  3. BarbieJuly 5, 2014 at 12:11 PM

    I've been in a season of seeking Him. He alone is my joy. Praying you have a blessed and joy-filled weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. ShanaJuly 6, 2014 at 5:16 PM

    That is a good way of linking of it. Being teachable with God. I often think of it in the work place, but it always starts at home with God. Thank you. Right now I am struggling with joy because of all the major changes going on in my life. Thank God he is constantly reaching out with us to carry us through! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. HillaryJuly 10, 2014 at 11:48 AM

    Thanks Barbie!

    ReplyDelete

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Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

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