My joy isn’t dead, no matter how I feel. Even though everything on my plate is seasoned with pain, Jesus lives! Though the boot-heal of oppression bears down in an attempt to grind me into dust, my hope is un-crushable. Even when my happiness shatters and all those I love move beyond my embrace, love isn’t carnal or mortal. When my body is broken, then passed around as bread and my blood becomes a drink, a sacrifice consumed but unrecognized, Jesus is my validation. He walked this path before me. He set the standard. True sacrifice isn’t made in hopes of personal reward. Though I fall and the weight of this cross I bear is too much for me to lift again to carry, God’s ultimate plan remains. When my eyes are blind with the tears of sorrow and agony causes me to no longer care, a new blast of His breath enters me and by His strength I rise to move forward. Though the sting of sin poisons everything I see and touch by the fulfillment of His Will, not mine, I will press beyond Death’s boundary and reach the ultimate prize. In Jesus I possess indestructible joy which He bought by His obedience and blazed the Way predestined for me to follow. This narrow path I must walk despising all worldly gain. I am nearer now to the finish than I was yesterday. Though in this world I endure suffering and can’t always feel my joy, when I finish this race, my agony will melt away. When my body dies to become ashes and dust, I know Death has no power over my soul. Though this present night is deepening, soon the Son will rise with healing in His wings! When morning comes, my feet will rest on the eternal shore. I will forget the effects of sin’s painful sting and cry no more. Jesus is my eternal joy.
Job 42:1-6 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
Your faith amazes me, Pam. Much indestructible joy to you today and every day 🙂
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It’s amazing because it doesn’t come from me…and I thank you for your sweet blessing. I cherish those kind, positive thoughts.:0)
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Job is an inspiration in trying times. Thank you for offering that reference. I appreciate your reflection as well. Your conviction is powerful. We can all gain strength from that.
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Thank you for the support. I too gain strength from you.:0)
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You sweetheart. 💜💕😘❤️💗 💖💞💙😍
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Pam my heart soars when reading your blogs and I am truly blessed by them. I cannot describe the joy you have brought into my own life through the many struggles you have faced and hearing of your faithfulness through them. I am so glad to reconnect with you again. May the LORD Himself manifest Himself more and more to you with abundant blessings pressed down, shaken together and overflowing. Praying for your wholeness my sister in Christ. Love you.:)
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Hi Sue and welcome! I’m happy to know my words are a blessing to you. I am only able to be faithful because Jesus is perfectly faithful to me. Everything His I am not and visa versa. I appreciate those prayers and will return them in kind. God bless and keep you always.
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A good read. The best way to start a new day. God Bless.
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Thank you. I hope your day is happy and your every challenge met with success.
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Thank you. I am working on it. Have a blessed day.
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What a testimony that points towards Him. I’m praying for Him to sustain you.
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Thank you, Jim. I don’t know why I ever doubt Him. After all, it’s not about me, it’s all about Him. I so appreciate your prayers.
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Indestructible joy captured. Great piece.
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Thank you. A reminder to me to walk by faith and not sight…or my feelings.
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When I read Luke 13:16 I think of both you and my sister who has MS…”So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. By faith, I continue to thank God for the healing of both you and Sis.
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Thank you, Patrick. I know God will heal me in His time according to His purpose. I know that I will be healed. If not in this world then in the world to come. Thank you for your prayers and for standing with me. I have many hard things in my life right now besides being sick and I am only a woman. I have been overwhelmed as of late and in too much pain to care about God’s plan. However, it isn’t about me, it’s about Him. I am part of that plan no matter how I feel. He is good to bring me back to my senses. I know he’ll free me from this bondage when His purpose for allowing it is complete. Forgive me for my recent bout of despair. I belong to Jesus and I will overcome. God bless and keep you always.
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No need to apologize for your bouts of despair. We all have our battles. Just remember that you do have many blogging friends who will help you in that fight.
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Thank you, Patrick. I really have met some dear folks here and you are one of them. I have good news to share! I found a good online support group and I think I found a treatment that I can afford and should work for me. I still have to sell my doctor on it but I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to achieve remission and lose my Iguana characteristics.:0) I’d prefer healing with no drugs but God heals us through others too. Also, the article I wrote for Rare Disease Awareness was picked up by the Cryoglobulinemia Association and reposted on their website. They’ve asked me to become a cryo ambassador and contribute to their blog. They are working to create a web site for patients and their doctors to use find good information and also, push for research. So…God has His reasons and He really does work all things to our good. I just wish I’d remember that when the stuff I don’t like that is taking me to the good stuff, happens. God bless and keep you Patrick.
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