Mom Heart Moments #56

Let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You.

JOY IS A SEED THAT MUST BE intentionally planted in the soil of life in the midst of our varying circumstances. It must be watered with faith, fertilized by obedience at every choice in life, and protected at every juncture. The weeds of selfishness and cynicism must be plucked when they first grow. Storms of bitterness must not be allowed to damage the fragile crop that has been planted.

In my lifetime, seeing so much sadness, brokenness, grief, and discouragement in the lives of people I loved, I realized that even believers could be overcome by the exhausting nature of living in a fallen world. It seemed to me that if joy was a fruit of His Spirit in my life, I needed to understand more how to live in that place in my heart, regardless of what storms were whirling around me. Jesus admonished His disciples that in this world they would have tribulation. He didn’t cover it up or sugarcoat the truth.

Yet, the miraculous truth is that normal people like me can live a supernatural life and our actions can have eternal results in this world, bringing His light to manifest in very strategic, poignant ways. He is here with me and there with you. He is all-powerful to conquer kingdoms of darkness and to bring down strongholds. He lives to love, redeem, restore, and give hope and grace.

One interesting thing about today’s verse is that it recognizes the fact that sometimes we need a place to take refuge! Thank God for sheltering you.