Feeling really joyful today. Nothing particularly new or encouraging going on—just feel hopeful and excited about the future. I always used to read in the Bible about being joyful but never really understood what it meant. I was “happy” when things were going well in my life. When I was doing well financially or things were going well with my family, I was happy and I confused that for joy. Joy, in my humble opinion, has very little to do with outside circumstances. It is an inward state of being. In many verses the Bible refers to either rejoicing or having a joyful heart. When we’re joyful, it’s not because of what we are currently seeing or experiencing—instead we are joyful because of what we are anticipating. I am joyful because I know that I have a loving heavenly Father that knows me by name and cares for me. I know that God has good things prepared for me and that He is leading me on my new adventure in life. I had told someone that I was talking to a few weeks ago (at my church) that I almost feel like Bilbo Baggins (“The Hobbit”) leaving the comfort of the “Shire” and undertaking a new adventure. Cold, scared, hungry, and uncertain of what the future will hold—but certain of who holds me in His loving arms.
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." Psalm 28:7
"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94:19
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"It's easy to be a "Christian" when life is good. The real sign of a person's relationship with Jesus is who they are when things are hard and it seems like life is falling apart." ~Brian