First of all, I want to share that I believe that there is a huge difference between happiness and joy. I think happiness depends on our circumstances, but joy is a fruit of the Spirit and comes as we lean into Him. Having said that, I want to assure all of my readers that I am not happy about my health issues, but I am still filled with joy because I am leaving all of the problems in God’s hands and He is giving me peace. It’s a daily thing, coming before His altar and presenting my thankfulness and my petitions as well as my frustrations over thin bones, one kidney and a shoulder that is giving me fits. He already knows, doesn’t He?

God’s closeness to me means that in the midst of pain and anxiety, I can still have joy. He has promised me that He will take care of me, and I believe Him.

Circumstances change, but God never does. Thus we can rejoice in His constancy, His faithfulness and His love.

I wish I could honestly say that I am always faith-filled and peaceful, but I am not. There are days when I am angry at the circumstances, doubting God’s love and crying out my rage to Him. But you know what? He is big enough to take it and His response is to fill me with His peace. It’s like He says to me, “Are you done now? Okay. Now, take this peace, calm down and remember that I am right there beside you.” Then His peace puts a shield around me so that the next thing that happens doesn’t knock me over. I am learning to bend with the circumstances of my life, to accept who God made me to be and to have peace and joy knowing that nothing gets to me unless it goes through Him.

So, how do I try to maintain that peace and joy? By memorizing this verse and saying it to myself. Is what I am thinking pure, lovely, admirable, praiseworthy, true, noble and right? If not, I need to choose to redirect my thoughts. That generally means to change my focus to the Lord and others and not on myself.

This prayer is from the YouVersion Daily Refresh today and it meant a lot to me. God is truly my Anchor in a stormy sea. Whatever I face is not too big for God to handle. I just have to trust in Him and open myself to be filled with His joy. Again, I remind you that I am not always happy, but I am joy-filled.

Amen and amen. In good times, in bad times, in all times, God is always good and deserves all of the glory!