Accepting With Joy

 

"Joy is that deep-settled confidence that God is

in control in every area of my life."

Paul Sailhamer

The other morning I read the following sentence in a devotion written by Chris Tiegreen, Hearing His Voice, about listening and accepting God's will: 

"I'll be okay with whatever You tell me. I just want to know Your will.

 I'll accept it with joy, whatever it is."

My mind paused when I read, "accept it with joy." Different scenes passed through my mind, and I thought how am I going to accept that with joy?

God asks us to do many things, but not all of them are pleasant or joyful. Especially when it comes to matters of the heart when you have been in great heartbreak. 

I can try and do most things God asks, and some things that are difficult, but with joy? Thankfully, those words are Mr. Tiegreen's. We can all do things that are unpleasant out of our devotion to God, and accept it as our duty, but does God ask us to do all things with joy?

There are far too many verses in Scripture which have the word joy in them for me to find a verse which states this. God wants us to do all things with love. We know that. God wants us to be joyful. We know that. But I can't imagine God expects us to do something with joy that has been a hard and difficult experience in our life.

This is one of those things to ponder and see how it applies to your life. God knows our heart. He knows our willingness. He knows our difficulties. He gives us strength to do all things.

Let's be joyful because we are filled with God's love and held with His Everlasting Arms. Let's always ponder words that will help us grow in grace. If He wants us to do everything with joy, He will make it possible. 

By His Grace . . .