A Bundle of JOY

Nehemiah 8:10 ...Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

I typically do not enjoy going to the hospital, and the waiting rooms can be quite sad. However, waiting rooms on the newborn floor are usually pretty exciting. Family members wait anxiously (all smiles) for their new grandchild, niece or nephew, sibling or cousin to enter the world.

Now, while these family members joyfully wait with GREAT expectation, there is a completely different scene going on in the birthing room-a scene sometimes filled with pain, exhaustion, and usually a cry for medication, and that's just from dad lol.

While mom is experiencing all of this pain, her family and friends are in another room as happy as can be!

Have you ever felt this way? You are going through the most painful trial of your life, and everyone around you seems to be giddy and elated everywhere you turn?

Jesus encouraged His disciples that at times, they would feel this way too. He says in John 16:20, "Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices." Thankfully though, He didn't stop there. He went on to say, "You will grieve, but your grief will turn to JOY."

In this chapter, Jesus relates our trials to the pain a woman feels in childbirth. As painful as the birthing process is, Jesus says "when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world."

However, that mom had to PUSH through the pain for her baby to be born.

When you know your purpose in life, it is much easier to PUSH through the trials and to receive God's joy and promises for your life. Philippians 4:4 instructs us to "Rejoice in the Lord always." Even in our difficult times, we can still rejoice because we have the assurance that God has it all under control.

I challenge you today to NEVER stop pushing! Sure, there will be times as believers that we face difficult things and may feel like we are all alone in our suffering, but it will all be worth it in the end. And when you feel like you can't push any longer, remember that "the JOY of the Lord is your strength." Allow Him to hold your hand and give you the strength to realize your promise is on its way.

Dear Lord, I thank You that through the Holy Spirit, You give me JOY even in situations that seem hopeless. Thank You for the promises I have in You.

I also thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.