One of my students was treading in the murky waters somewhere between discouragement and depression. It was so hard for him to concentrate during the one-on-one class that learning even the most basic concepts was a struggle. Sometimes he would even get upset at the textbook, as if it were conspiring against him! It was difficult to have a meaningful conversation with him, and consequently, the classes he participated in were pretty dry.
Eventually he began to pull out of the fog and was able to think more clearly. It became easier for him to absorb the material being taught, and he was encouraged by his progress. He was a deep thinker and began to contribute meaningfully to the classes. Before long we were laughing and conversing about many topics. The sessions became a delight, a time we mutually looked forward to. I saw clearly that happiness and heaviness are worlds apart.
Joy. What a delightful theme for this month’s magazine! The feature article, “The Joy of the Lord,” provides insight on the deep meaning of joy that is found in the Bible. Our contributors share insights and personal experiences that bring the concepts to life.
One of the paradoxes of life is that joy can often be found even in the most trying circumstances. That is when “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). More than wishful thinking or a self-help strategy, joy that becomes strength in difficult times is a manifestation of God’s grace in our lives. The contrast brings out the beauty of His presence, and we experience “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Whether you are living in “the best of times” or “the worst of times” as Charles Dickens described in A Tale of Two Cities, joy can be your constant companion. The Bible tells us: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). These verses teach us that in all situations it is God’s will that we pray, rejoice, and are thankful, which will enable us to always abound in the joy of the Lord!
Gabriel and Sally García Activated Editorial Team
For more information on Activated , visit our website or write to us.
Throughout my life, the number one enemy of my peace of mind has been fear —fear of the past, of the future, of what people think of me, of being rejected, of failing others, of illness. To counteract this tendency, I have made it a habit to pray first thing in the morning and place all my worries in God’s hands. It feels like I’m taking the heavy bags I’m carrying on my back and putting them on Jesus’ broad shoulders. After that, I feel lighter and have a new bounce in my step as I overcome fear with faith.
Another enemy of my happiness has been comparing and jealousy. I say to myself, “Look at how great that person looks. Look at all they have accomplished. Look at the new car they bought that I can’t afford,” and on it goes. To counteract this mindset, I keep a gratitude journal. I write down at least three blessings that God has given me in the last few days. These are often small things like the sun shining or the birds tweeting.
The positive effect that gratitude has on our minds is now being proven scientifically, as computers can map the brain and see the changes that occur. Gratitude creates hope and positive thinking. When I am thankful,
instead of looking at others, I look to God and recall His goodness and mercy towards me.
My third thief of happiness has been resentment. I think, “Look at what they said or did to me! I hope something happens to them so they can know what it feels like… Oops, stop!’’ Forgiving someone who hurt us is something we do to protect our own heart and emotions, and to leave a door open for that person to repent and come back to our fellowship. By forgiving we also bring ourselves back to the biggest source of happiness and contentment, which is love. God is love (1 John 4:8), and we must protect and nurture our relationship with Him.
That is my recipe for contentment: I fight my fears with faith. I keep my tendency to compare in check with my belief that the Lord and I together can accomplish great things. And I ask Jesus to fill my heart with love and with the grace to forgive others, which results in great joy and contentment!
Rosane Cordoba lives in Brazil. She is a freelance writer, translator, and producer of faith-based and character-building children’s material. ■
The Joy
of the Lord —Our Hope and Strength
By Peter Amsterdam
The quest for happiness is a common topic in articles, social media, books, podcasts, television shows, and movies. The idea put forth is that you are to follow your dreams and pursue your personal fulfillment to discover happiness. But as Christians, we have discovered the true source of a lasting joy that can withstand the storms of life and is a constant in the face of destabilizing circumstances in our world.
While Jesus only specifically mentioned His joy twice in the Gospels (John 15:11, 17:13), joy permeated His life and the teachings in the Bible. We find 173 mentions and examples of joy, gladness, and rejoicing in the New Testament—and hundreds more in the Old Testament. In the book of Nehemiah, we read that “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10), and in the Psalms, we read of
the joy of His salvation and the “fullness of joy” that we find in His presence (Psalm 51:12; 16:11).
The Bible teaches us that God’s kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). When the Apostle Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, joy is listed right after love (Galatians 5:22–23). We can see that joy is an important part of our Christian life, but what exactly is this joy that is spoken of here?
In the English language, joy and happiness are usually considered synonyms. However, the Greek words used in the New Testament for joy and happiness are not as close in meaning, and Greek words that express the concept of happiness weren’t used very often in the New Testament. The Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments defines joy as “a settled state of mind marked by peace” and “a confident way of looking at life that is rooted deep in faith, in a keen awareness of and trust in the sovereign God, who has revealed himself in Jesus Christ.”
So, what is the foundation of that joy? It is rooted in our salvation, gained for us by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and the sure knowledge that our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20). We have joy—we rejoice—because we have the hope of an eternal inheritance, and God has given us the guarantee of it by His Spirit placed in our hearts (2 Corinthians 1:22).
We can have joy because we take the long-range view, knowing that regardless of the hardships or setbacks we experience in this life, we will live with God forever. Jesus sets the example for us of looking beyond the present trials of this life to what lies ahead in eternity, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
We have joy because of the presence of God in our lives through Jesus, who took on human form and made His home among us ( John 1:14). When we read the accounts of the birth of Jesus, the whole event is filled with joy. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, her unborn child, John the Baptist, literally leaped for joy in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:44). The angel who appeared to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth proclaimed, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10) When the wise men saw the star, “they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matthew 2:10). God’s presence brings joy to those who believe in Him.
God’s presence becomes part of our lives as we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit is also connected to joy. “The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52); His joy is also connected to hope: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13). Worshiping and praising the Lord brings forth joy within us. “They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Luke 24:52).
What is the source of our joy? Our joy is grounded in our faith in the teachings of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. God is our Creator. He created
humankind in His own image (Genesis 1:26–27). Although humanity is fallen and alienated from Him due to our sins, we can be redeemed and reconciled to God through the death of Jesus on the cross, which brought forgiveness of our sins when we believe and receive Jesus in our hearts. We are thereby “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead” and to an imperishable and unfailing inheritance that is being kept in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:3–5). Heaven is described as a place of everlasting joy, love, and peace where there will be no more pain, sorrow, grief, or loneliness (Revelation 21:4).
The joy of the Lord is not dependent on our circumstances; it can flourish even in the midst of pain, suffering, loss, and grief. The Bible says that “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings” (Romans 5:2–3). It’s not easy to
rejoice in our sorrow, nor is it natural for us to be joyful and constantly rejoicing. Yet we are called to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4).
When the waves, winds, and storms of life assail us, we can find joy in knowing that God will never leave us and He has a plan and purpose for our lives, even when we can’t discern it ourselves. We can find comfort and faith to endure the difficulties we face and to be victorious as we look to the promises in God’s Word. As we read the Bible, God’s Spirit uses His Word to speak to our hearts to comfort and guide us, thereby giving us faith and hope, which are stepping stones to joy.
We cultivate joy by putting our trust in God and abiding in Him and His Word, so that His joy will remain in us and our joy will be full ( John 15:10–11). We increase our joy when we grow in thankfulness and gratitude in whatever situation we find ourselves in, as we “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Regardless of whether our present circumstances are pleasant or unpleasant, we are called to be thankful. This doesn’t mean that we are to be thankful for difficult circumstances, but rather that we give thanks in the midst of every circumstance, good or bad. We can be thankful for the sure knowledge that the Lord is working in our present circumstance for our good, knowing that He will not give us burdens that are too much for us to bear, and that His grace is sufficient to enable us to bear them (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Joy is a response to God’s constant presence in our lives—to His love, blessings, and promises; to the relationship we have with Him, and the privilege of being His children ( John 1:12–13). Recognizing and being thankful for God’s blessings helps us to walk in His joy in our everyday lives and to take on a positive attitude toward life. As we thank and praise Him, we experience the joy that is our heritage in Christ and our strength!
Peter Amsterdam and his wife, Maria Fontaine, are directors of the Family International, a Christian community of faith. Adapted from the original article. ■
REASON FOR JOY
By Marie Alvero
In principle I know that happiness is not contingent on circumstances, and that joy is a gift of God that you can have no matter what your situation is. But knowing that and living it are two very different things.
Just today, as I was about to sit down to write this article about joy, something happened that stole my joy. Woosh, gone! Can something that is supposed to dwell in my soul escape me so quickly? It sure seems like it sometimes.
Galatians 5:22 says that joy is a fruit of God’s Spirit dwelling in me. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” So, joy is not something I produce, but it is something I can receive.
God’s Word tells us to “rejoice” and “count it joy” and “praise” and “give thanks.” All very action-y words. So, is it fair to say that joy is a choice? Did I choose joy today
when my mood was quickly disturbed by circumstances? No. Joy was the opposite of how I felt. Similar to when I dragged myself out of bed to go to the gym for a workout, “being joyful” meant pulling in the opposite direction of how I felt.
I can’t tell you how many times I have forced myself to work out when I would have rather stayed in bed or on the couch. But I also cannot tell you about any workouts that I have regretted; I always feel better afterwards than when I started.
Nor can I tell you about a single time that I chose joy and regretted it. I have never thought, I should have stayed grouchy or sad!
Reading these Bible verses was a good mental reset. I asked God to fill me with joy and peace so that I could abound in hope. And then I did the action-y thing of rejoicing, and it’s working.
Friends, if you have lost your joy, I get it. And I don’t want to oversimplify things. Life is hard, and some seasons seem to drag on and are long, lonely, and dry. If that’s where you are, I pray that God fills you with His joy and peace, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you can abound in hope.
If there is breath in your lungs, there is reason for praise, so start there and see where it takes you.
Marie Alvero is a former missionary to Africa and Mexico. She currently lives a happy, busy life with her husband and children in Central Texas, USA. ■
CONTEMPLATING THE SCRIPTURES
By Gabriel García V.
My wife and I dedicate 30-45 minutes each morning to study the Bible, read a Christian devotional book, and review verses we have memorized. This time of study and reflection has become a vital part of our lives and helps us walk in harmony with God.
I have also started a new method of journaling. I write down in my own words a concept, lesson, or inspiration I find in the Word of God. With a little practice this has become easy, to the point that I have made it a habit to search out a scripture or reflection that inspires me to draw closer to God, and then I paraphrase it in writing to express my feelings and thoughts.
For example, one morning I was reading a well-known passage in the Bible, Philippians 4:4–7, which says: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. … Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
This is what I wrote in my diary: “Trust engenders peace. Leaving everything in God’s hands relieves me of anxiety. Every trial I go through is a chance to place
my confidence in God and grow in faith. By cultivating trust I can harvest many blessings, not the least of which is peace. Joy also plays an important part, because as I rejoice in the Lord, my burdens seem to get lighter and easier to bear.”
A very effective practice that we as Christians can do is to find joy in the Word of God, to discover passages that grow our faith, move our hearts towards Him and others, make us aware of spiritual principles, and resonate with us or convict us. We can learn to grab ahold of His promises and claim them when adversity knocks at our door.
I encourage you to try this exercise: Look for a portion of Scripture that brings you joy or inspires you to draw close to the Lord and commit it to memory. To further absorb it, write it down or express it in your own words, nothing fancy, just straight out of your heart. It will stay with you throughout the day, and eventually, with a little review, it will become part of you.
Gabriel García Valdivieso is part of the Activated editorial team and a member of the Family International. He is a writer, translator, and podcaster, and lives in Chile with his wife, Sally. ■
STROLLING WITH MY FRIEND
By Ricardo Hurtado
As I was taking my evening stroll, I was feeling a bit disconnected from the Lord. So, I asked Him in prayer, “My dear Lord, help me to see You, be closer to You, to feel Your presence.” I then heard Jesus speak very sweetly to me.
Did you know that I enjoy our heart-to-heart connection? Remember when I told My disciples, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” ( John 15:15)?
I replied, “But, Jesus, You are so powerful and important. Why would You want to be my friend?”
Just as I was with My disciples, that is how I want to be with you. I know that you don’t understand this, but I can help you. What do friends do? They go on walks together, just like we are doing now. They like to be around each other and do things together. They share their hearts.
I replied, “Okay, I’ll tell You what’s on my heart today. I’ve run into some problems...” And I talked with Jesus about some difficulties I was facing. Then I said, “Okay, now Lord, do You have anything You want to share with me?”
And let me tell you, as we continued walking, He began to show me some beautiful things in His creation surrounding me, in the trees and their fruit, with all their colors and distinct fragrances.
Now when I go on a walk, we talk, and I ask Him, “Can You share Your heart with me, my dear Friend?”
Ricardo Hurtado has done Christian humanitarian work in Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil. He currently resides with his wife in the United States and has an online ministry. ■
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 NLT
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known. —C. Austin Miles
If you have not yet received Jesus as your Savior, you can do so by praying the following prayer:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God and that You died on the cross for me so that, through Your sacrifice, I can live forever with You in heaven. I ask that You forgive my sins. I open the door of my heart to You. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me live in a way that glorifies You. Guide my life, as my Friend, and help me to follow You. In Your name I pray. Amen.
There Is Joy in Rest
By Lilia Potters
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
As somewhat of a workaholic and perfectionist, I’ve always struggled to balance work and rest. But I’ve learned that prioritizing self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
I still smile when I think back to how I cared for my first child. Every night I would set out his ironed clothes for the next day, polish his little leather shoes, and make sure the play area and house were spotless. I took pride in having a clean, nearly “perfect” home, and in having my eldest look his very best.
When number two came along, I didn’t keep up quite as well, but let’s say the clothes were ironed every other day, and the shoes were polished, just not quite as often.
With number three, I still tried to keep some semblance of order, and the kids still looked neat and clean, but perfection went out the door. I don’t think I have to tell you what happened when numbers four, five, and six arrived.
Then, just when I thought I had finished parenting, life handed me a new challenge—caring for my grandson.
I tried my best to revive those days of perfection and keep things in tip-top shape. But my grandson was a handful, more than any of my children had ever been. I didn’t know then, but I learned later that his hyperactivity and frequent crying were due to autism, which was officially diagnosed when he was three.
It took me some time to digest the news of his different abilities, or diffabilities, as I like to call them. Still, once I learned more about autism and the importance of early intervention, my tendency for perfection kicked in once again. I was determined to do my best for him and follow every instruction from his teachers and therapists to a T.
I also read whatever book, blog, or article I could find and tried to participate in any social activities as best I could.
After a while, it became obvious that I was not going to be able to keep up, physically and emotionally, with all the demands that come with caring for an autistic child. I was stretched to the limit.
I was fortunate to have met an amazing parent advocate, who later became a dear friend. She was the mother of an autistic daughter and recognized the problem. Her advice to me? In short, “Cut yourself some slack!”
I knew she was right, but my circumstances hardly afforded it. Money was tight, and I didn’t have anyone to help or give me a break from time to time. Still, I knew I needed it—now!
I realized I needed a mindset change first. My desire to do everything perfectly caused me to overextend myself, and that was unsustainable. Through prayer and personal reflection, I came to grips with the fact that even if I had to skip an activity and do something simpler, like sitting in the backyard with a cup of tea and putting my feet up while my grandson chased butterflies and collected bugs, it was not going to hurt him, but would do both of us a world of good.
One of the key things that helped me find a better work-life balance was learning to ask for help and accept it when it was offered. I always felt bad for asking others to step in, and I often declined offers that would have afforded me a break. It took me time to realize that people want to help, and my allowing them to do so strengthened our relationships.
Besides not wanting to burden others, I also realized it had to do with trusting others. I always felt I could do things best. True, others would handle things differently
than I would, but by being so protective I robbed myself of much-needed rest.
Once I accepted that self-care is not just “a nice thing to do if it works out,” but an actual necessity that needs to be scheduled, I began to feel much better. The challenges were still there, but I could cope better and started to take some things in stride.
Through trial and error, I also explored and discovered small but effective ways to take better care of myself without neglecting my responsibilities. Self-care doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. Taking a walk, journaling, having time to read, praying and meditating, or having coffee with a friend provided short breaks and helped rejuvenate me.
For those struggling and feeling overwhelmed, remember, whatever your circumstances, taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. You can’t pour from an empty cup. By prioritizing rest you’ll be stronger and happier for those who need you.
Lilia Potters is an author and Certified Autism Resource Specialist who lives in the U.S. ■
The Fallen Tree, a Parable
By Jorge Solá
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.—Psalm 138:8
A tree was struck by adversity—a gale, a flood, a landslide—and fell on its face on the hard ground.
It fell, and as it hit the damp earth with a crash—having never hit anything before, having only swayed softly in the breeze—it instinctively knew that it would never rise again.
The tree sobbed, from pain, sadness, rage, frustration. It saw the other trees still standing and cried. It lay for a long time among its broken branches, dormant, as if meditating on what to do with its colossal body.
Then it timidly sprouted some shoots. The shoots became twigs, which became branches, all reaching up towards the sky in an attempt to recover to some extent the aerial nature it had had before. It did what it could and allowed time to do the rest.
Soon it discovered a new purpose. Small children chose it to play “horsey” or pretended it was a castle; it became a favorite photo setting, a playground, a refuge. Hikers and squirrels alike used it to bridge the creek. And so, the tree found a new life, a happy life—albeit vastly different from what it had known before—and it realized that this was its destiny.
It has rained a lot since then, and the fallen tree is still lying on the ground, offering up its branches. Moss has covered the wounds from its fall. Over time it has become a beautiful and important element of the landscape, so much so that the builders took it into account when they designed the park.
From time to time the tree remembers and thinks, and it gives thanks for the day when fate vented its fury on it. Although it will never again be as it once was, or like the other trees, it is content, knowing that it has found its own place and role and that its future is in the Creator’s hands.
Could this perhaps also be our story? Though our lives don’t usually go as we had expected in our youth, the outcome may be a richer, deeper, more meaningful one as we let God use the storms as He sees fit.
God gets some of the greatest victories out of our seeming defeats.
Jorge Solá is a father of nine children and a developer. He is on the board of Arriba las Manos , a Colombian nonprofit organization dedicated to improving education in coastal communities and promoting personal development programs for disadvantaged children. ■
WHAT JOY LOOKS LIKE
By Amy Joy Mizrany
Timmy high-fiving children waiting in line for food parcels.
Joy is literally my middle name.
To be honest, most of the time I am definitely not what I would consider to be a good example of joy. It’s not that I’m grumpy or a miserable person; it’s just that I often fall short of being cheerful and positive. I can be selfish and self-focused. It’s a weakness of being human, but that’s not an excuse.
There is someone who I think deserves to be honored as an example of joy, and that’s my brother Timmy. He has Down syndrome, and we’ve always called him the star of our family. He has such a simple view of the world, a pure and rosy way of looking at everything.
And he’s joyful. So joyful! If I tell one joke, he laughs like I’ve done an entire stand-up comedy routine. If we find something that he does funny, he doubles down and does it again and again, because he loves to make us smile. When we play sports, anything worth celebrating he celebrates with the whole team, and he will get a high-five from each and every player.
Of course, he has his moments; he hates waking up on time. (Don’t we all!) He sometimes is in a bad mood. But really, I’ve never seen him have a bad day. He’s just unbeatable.
And the thing about joy—and in particular Jesus’ joy—is that it’s ridiculously contagious. The times I’ve seen Timmy turn the most down-in-the-mouth, serious-looking faces into laughing, smiling faces are innumerable. When we do food distribution in the informal settlements, he will give hugs, dance with the people standing in line, and sometimes even sing. He
has no fear, no worry about others’ opinions, he just goes around being friendly and sweet and gleeful, and it changes people. They love it! They become joyful, too.
So even though Joy is my middle name, it’s my brother Timmy who shows me what it looks like to be known as a joy. I want to be like him.
Amy Joy Mizrany was born and lives in South Africa, where she is a full-time missionary with Helping Hand and a member of the Family International. In her spare time, she teaches the violin. ■
Life is a BEACH
By Curtis Peter van Gorder
“Life is a Beach” shouts a popular bumper sticker. The picture it portrays is one of relaxing on the beach, sipping a cool drink.
In reality, anyone who lives near the ocean knows that beaches can be dangerous. While vacationing at the Red Sea, we met a park ranger who told us of his brush with death when he inadvertently stepped on a stonefish and was unconscious for several days in the hospital as he battled to survive. He said, “It was my wife’s prayers that brought me back to life.”
The dangers include jellyfish, sharks, lionfish, stingrays, urchins, and a multitude of other stickers, stinkers, and stingers. Maybe life is like a beach. It too can be dangerous and hairy, full of thrills and spills.
My son Richard shared an experience that, while not related to beaches, reminded both of us of how life is full of surprises that put our problems in perspective. I’ll let him tell it:
“As I was driving onto a ramp of a main road, I paused to let two semi-trailers pass by. I could have tried to speed up to get in front of them, but I decided to slow down.
“At the time, I was discouraged about my troubles— my three-year-old son was still not speaking and would need therapy, I was having relationship troubles, and money was tight.
“Why do I have it so hard? I asked God, not really expecting an answer.
“I drove on for a few more minutes when a semi-trailer recklessly came from the opposite lane and ploughed into one of the semi-trailers that had just passed me. Both trucks tumbled over each other and exploded in flames. Fiery debris went flying everywhere and narrowly missed my car.
“I stopped and grabbed a fire extinguisher to try to put out the flames, but it was too hot to get anywhere near the accident. Help came soon, but the drivers had already perished. It was sobering to realize that if I had tried to rush ahead that day in traffic, I also might have died in the inferno.
“This incident put my problems in perspective. Just being alive felt like winning the lottery, and I began to count my blessings.”
Nothing helps you be more grateful for life than a close brush with death. Life may be like a beach, but it is one full of challenges. Thankfully, God can help us come through them and make us stronger as a result.
Curtis Peter van Gorder is a freelance writer and mime artist who spent 47 years doing missionary activities in 10 different countries. He and his wife Pauline currently live in Germany. ■
The Sun Still Shines
By Victoria Olivetta
As far back as I can remember, I’ve disliked cloudy days, especially in winter. They seemed endless and without hope, chilling both body and soul.
Still, they are a part of life, so I decided to learn to like them—and now I do. My secret? Actually, I have several. Sometimes I take advantage of gloomy days to bake a sweet treat to enjoy with my coffee. The house smells of freshly brewed coffee and homemade goodies, and that creates a warm, happy feeling.
I’ve found that I can help brighten the day by the clothing I wear, like my favorite brightly colored sweater or some pretty jewelry.
Most of all I’ve learned to thank God for those days. I’m still not crazy about them, but I have a warm house, a cozy bed, food on the table, and someone to enjoy my blessings with.
Not long ago, I was out on one of those gloomy days. Although it was overcast, I didn’t expect it to rain, so I hadn’t taken an umbrella. Mid-morning I was far from home when I was caught in a downpour. By the time I got home, I was drenched. A hot shower and lunch put it all behind me, though, and I felt much better.
While I was caught in the rain, I prayed for all the people who were victims of a disaster. Not a disaster like burning the dinner—I mean a real disaster like being left homeless by a natural disaster, with no hot shower, dry clothes, and a warm meal to set things right.
When some negative circumstance brings you down, praying for others who have it worse puts things in perspective and does the soul good, like a hot shower warms the body after getting caught in the rain, or the smell of homemade cake lifts the gloom of a dark day. Remembering that we have a very big God who sees and knows everything, who loves us dearly, and who will never let us be tested beyond what He knows we can handle with His help (1 Corinthians 10:13) lifts the spirit, like the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
Even when the sky is overcast, the sun is still shining. The clouds might keep us from seeing it, but it’s there, just as bright as ever. When darkness closes in around us, the sunshine of God’s love is still there, as constant as ever, waiting for just the right moment to break through the clouds and warm our souls once again.
Victoria Olivetta is a member of the Family International in Argentina. ■
From Jesus with Love
Everyday Praise
Today is a new day that I have made—24 hours in which to rejoice and be glad (Psalm 118:24)! Keep your eyes open at every turn so that you don’t miss any tokens of My love and opportunities for rejoicing. Look out your window and take in the beauty of creation—that is My love for you. Think of your family and friends—they are My love for you. Fix your thoughts on the things that are good, beautiful, and true throughout your day and let your heart be filled with joy for these manifestations of My love (Philippians 4:8).
If today is looking like a stormy day, remember that My joy will be with you every hour of your day and will give you strength and hope to meet the challenges ( John 15:11). No matter how dark and cloudy your day may be, My joy is ever present in your heart and is not dependent on the circumstances around you.
Every time you praise and worship, you acknowledge My presence and power, and you declare your faith in Me and your love for Me. When you voice your praise amidst the turmoil of the world around you, you are a witness that shines into people’s lives like a ray of light in the darkness. As you put your trust in Me, I have promised to fill you with all joy and peace so that you may overflow with My Spirit (Romans 15:13).
