Claiming Joy

Written by Faye L.

  '‘Joy is the greatest reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy.’
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-Ann Voskamp, ‘One Thousand Gifts’

  I curve the letters and make lines and dashes to write one word. W-a-i-t. Wait. There it stands out on the journal’s page. I copy the
definition, following the unparalleled dots that make up a colon- ‘To wait in expectation or patience. To stay; not to depart.’
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  Wait. When I pour out my heart to God and He seems completely silent, how can I wait? Yet, I am reminded, ‘To stay; not to depart’. It is agonizing when you are going up against an unbeatable sin, and God tells you ‘Wait’. It is difficult when fear weighs
you down- when you know it can be lifted by a mere second of His presence- yet God says, ‘Wait’.

‘He [God] will neither leave you nor forsake you.’
 
    
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I strongly encourage you to delve deep into His Truth-His Word. Also, look into Ann Voskamp's 2010 release, 'One Thousand Gifts.' Her book has been an amazing blessing to my life. Not only is her writing lovely, but her words point you to TRUTH and have taught me what joy in the Lord truly is.

​​God is with me- He is with you- and just because I can’t ‘feel’ His presence, does not mean He isn’t here, with me, this very second.

  ​I’ve always had this masked perception that contentment has to do with material-type things. You are content with your stuff. You are content with your family. You are content with the weather even. But, I am learning, that I have to be content when God says, ‘Wait’. I have to be content in God, with God, and through God.

  ‘I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know how to be abased, and how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed to both be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ Philippians 3:11-13 kjv
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  Like Paul, I must learn contentment. This is the biggest trial of faith (currently)- learning contentment in the wait. Learning to be content in the suffering. Learning not to compare (after all, 'comparison is the thief of joy'- Theodore Roosevelt) and instead, be content in who God intended and created me to be. Learning to claim God’s joy as my strength in this current time. 
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  ​Yet, even though waiting (to stay; not to depart) is difficult, God shows me His love. I scroll through Facebook newsfeed, and here is a quote- a gift from God (Thank you Ann Voskamp for reminding me to see gifts amidst the pain!). I turn on the radio, there is a song that echoes my prayer, a sermon on faith through the struggle. I randomly pull Ann Voskamp’s book, ‘One Thousand Gifts’, off the shelf and each paragraph touches my pain and gives hope and the antidote of joy.
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  God is in the still, small voice right now. Slowly, he will reveal His plan. His time, His way. Always.

As a constant reminder of His TRUTH, I did this little painting based on a quote's background photo. Of course, the words are a lot more important than my watercolor interoperation of the original photograph.

​   I hear repeatedly, 'The joy of the LORD is your strength.' What does this mean? How can His joy be my strength? If it is a fruit of the spirit and I am a Christian, why am I not in constant joy?
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  Let me first make this clear: feelings are void. I am one who's faith is easily drowned by feelings. ​I don't feel like trusting God. I don't feel like He's with me. I don't feel like praying. I don't feel joyful. If I let my feelings take over, I'll never experience God's lovely, strong, loud joy- the joy I crave endlessly.

​ Instead of crying out, 'God, where are You? I can't feel You!' it is time to pray, 'Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation, on Thee do I wait all the day.' (Psalm 25:5). It's not about how we feel, it is about His Truth. We must ask Him to deprive us of our feelings and replace them with His truth. This meanings pouring over His Word. This means praying no matter how we 'feel'. This means becoming a servant. A strong faith reaps in joy.

'You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.' ​1 Peter 1:8

  ​Again I say, a strong faith reaps in joy. 

  'An intimate relationship with God produces the fruit of the spirit. The seed of joy is planted in our hearts when we ask Jesus to be the Lord of our lives. Cultivation of that seed is accomplished through a systematic pursuit of Jesus. We are as close to God as we desire.'
-K-Love's Pastor Dave, How to Get Joy and Keep It ​
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  'Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' Mathew 25:13

  Our Lord is inviting us into his presence. How do we enter? With thanksgiving, in prayer. Prayer brings us close to Him...His truth. Pray. Read the bible. Serve. Be surrounded by friends who build you up. And last, but definitely not least, confess to Him. Be yourself when you pray; give Him yourself. 

  Now, I believe that even the strongest Christian will not go through trials without questioning, fear, or even depression. But, I think that they can find contentment in knowing that God has them on this trajectory for a reason...a finished picture we cannot yet see. He works ALL things together for good.

  'Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.' Hebrews 12:1b-2  kjv

  Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him. He laid down His own life for us. He is victorious over death...over this life. He had to suffer to complete a greater picture. And guess what? 'It is FINISHED.' 

  We are to follow Jesus' example. We are to endure the storms of this life for the joy that is set before us. This is our test to grow closer to God, to pursue His joy. ​ We pursue this joy when we thank and praise God unconditionally through the storm. We may not understand his purpose. We may be angry and confused. But, we can still raise our anthem. The way we respond to darkness is an opportunity for the world to see our little lights shining bright, ultimately pointing the world to The Light: our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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 As a last resonating note and ounce of encouragement, one song that echoes my prayer, and perhaps yours as well...

  Though the tears may fall my song will rise
My song will rise to You
Though my heart may fail my song will rise
My song will rise to You
While there's breath in my lungs
I will praise you Lord

In the dead of night I’ll lift my eyes
I’ll lift my eyes to You
Though the waters rise I’ll lift my eyes
I’ll lift my eyes to You
While there's hope in this heart
I will praise You Lord

The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy of the Lord is my strength
In the darkness I’ll dance
In the shadows I’ll sing
The joy of the Lord is my strength

When I cannot see You with my eyes
Let faith arise to You
When I cannot feel Your hand in mine
Let faith arise to You
God of mercy and love
I will praise You Lord

How You shine with glory Lord of light
I feel alive with You
In Your presence now I come alive
I am alive with You
There is strength when I say
I will praise You Lord

When sorrow comes my way
You are the shield around me
Always You remain
My courage in the fight

I hear You call my name
Jesus I am coming
Walking on the waves
Reaching for Your light
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-Joy of the Lord, Rend Collective