“Mountains bow down to give you glory, oceans will roar with praise. Creation breathes to tell Your story, and to lift up Your name because it’s all for You. You are the Alpha & Omega, beginning and the end. You are the Lord my redeemer and in You alone I stand.” — Coffey Anderson
My husband flew me out to Cape Cod for Good Friday, and as I was walking the harbor I realized something. I realized that in spite of the heartache in my life – overall my life is really pretty awesome. When I look at my husband {who still swoons over me some 19+ years after we wed} I feel so complete and loved. When I think about my remaining children {who put up with me, despite my overbearing neurotic tendencies} I feel complete and loved.
And when I think of my daughter Emma Grace in heaven, living with the Lord {despite every possible act and plea to keep her here}, I feel overwhelmed with emotions that are no longer sadness or joy.. but a mixture of both.
“You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” -Psalm 4:8
Sometimes, I get so lost in my despairing emotions that I fail to stop and see the blessings that are right in front of me. I have to be reminded of Gods love, grace and most of all His mercy.
“You didn’t have to give Your life, but you chose to. You didn’t have to, but You did…”
He didn’t have to get beaten and carry the cross that He eventually died on. He could have said “enough”, but he didn’t. He could have chosen to walk away and leave us in our sins, but He didn’t.
″I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” – Luke 19:40
He created the universe, and the universe will praise Him, even if we don’t. Think about that, the rocks will not keep silent in praise to Him, and yet we choose to not see His abundant mercy and love for us? Let me rephrase that…
I choose not to see His abundant mercy and love for me….
Starting now, I will choose joy. I will choose to praise my heavenly daddy. I will choose to see the goodness around me; The goodness that only comes from Him.
So here is my invitation to you:
Will you join me in choosing to see the bright side of His love? Will you start each and everyday looking for the good instead of the bad? Will you join me in expecting good things? I am tired of being tired, and I know that you are too.
Will you join me?
Leave a Comment
its all for You… says
[…] you continue reading with me @ incourage?} Filed Under: God is Good, heaven, […]
Donna says
Thank you. I need to look for the good. There’s so much of it just in being His.
Eunice says
My thoughts have been running along the same lines. Thank you for this and the reinforcement that only God could have sent at just the right time.
Carol H. says
The same thing happened to me Eunice. I love it when God gives me a message loud and clear! Choose Joy!
Rebecca says
Me too! 🙂
kendal says
chasing after joy IS a choice, but so hard to choose at times. thank you for this post. taking a moment to pray for you….
Kristen says
Thank you, Heather. Yes, I choose to choose joy! What a challenge that is some days. Maybe a little sign on my fridge will help me to remember this on the tougher days. Perhaps this might be a part of what it means to surrender to God’s will. Dying to ourselves and choosing God’s way despite our emotions.
Elizabeth says
What a beautifully laid out there invitation to live JOYfully by choice. Your words inspire. When that bone-tired feeling penetrates the soul,the heart, and the body because of pain, despair, or other difficult emotions, it is not always our default mode-Joy. But oh how He restores and He breathes life when we do. And looking at life through the lense of Joy, well it changes EVERYTHING. Thank you for sharing this sliver of you and for rallying us to live into the life that He would have us live. I am choosing Joy this day.
Paola says
You inspired me beyond words!!! Wow! I can’t thank you enough for just laying it out like that. A Godly perspective is what we all need to choose joy!!! Thank you very muich!
Caprice says
I can not put into words, how deeply that touched my sould today. For so long I have looked at the negative things. I have asked God why he has let xyz happen, and why must I experience such pain and despair. But that is not what I am supposed to be focused on. I should be saying Thank you for getting me through xyz. I should wake up thanking HIM for just being here! Thank you for sharing with all of us Heather. I accept the challenge to see the blessings that are all around me, big or small!
Darcy @ Message in a Mason Jar says
When my firstborn was a baby, I sang to him “You want my tired eyes to wake up before the clock has made a sound, but JOY is the best makeup I’ve ever found.” I can get pretty ugly if I let my tiredness take over, if I don’t take every thought captive and release the joy of Christ to reign in me each day.
Julie Sunne says
I’ve come to the same point in my life, Heather. There is strength in community. We can all do it together. So, I for one, stand with you in choosing to see the joy in each day, each moment, each event!
Summer Joy says
I love the concept of choosing joy…Thank you, Heather. I will need that today.
Summer
Libby says
It never fails. Once again God has me read at incourage at the exact moment he knows I need it. Thank you for sharing!
Debbie says
Bless your heart, what good words for us today. “Praise and Proclaim, rather than Grumble and Complain”, has been my motto for a few months and it is amazing how quickly my mood changes when my focus is on Him!
Christina says
Just a big thank you.
Mollie says
So very inspiring, and yet convicting. I haven’t been through a tenth of what you have and still fail to see the joy in life and from Christ so often. Thank you, thank you fr your words.
Holley says
So beautiful and powerful, Heather. Thank you for this reminder!
Jenny says
This was just what I needed. I’ve been feeling wretched ever since I moved away from everything I know and love, even on the days I strove for happiness, it never lasted. I want to experience the joy of my blessed life and stop being sad and sick of everything. I have amazing skills, talents, and I am able to use them all to serve the one who made me. I’m tired of being tired. Only problem is, I lack the motivation. Oh, it’ll stick around for a while, but then it’ll run away and I’ll be back in square one. Never moving, never changing, always falling.
I don’t know how to break my cycle. Except to change everything around me. But the fear of disappointing others keeps me from change. I’m stuck, in an endless circle of pain, joy, sadness, and prayer.
Deidra says
I love this picture of you right now. This snapshot of what God’s doing – of how He never stops filling us with hope.
Linda says
Thank you for reminding me of how awesome our lives are!
Sunny says
Oh my Heather…I so needed this right now….
Susanne says
Hello Heather,
You’re very brave and selfless. Sharing your pain, reminding us to appreciate what’s in our now and inspiring us to start our days on a note full of love and faith. I hope each person who is also tired of being tired finds a little more energy, peace and strength with every passing day. Thank you for your words.
Beth Williams says
Heather,
I, too have gotten so lost in my despairing emotions that I fail to stop and see the blessings that are right in front of me! That’s why I keep a Thankful Journal. I list the big important things in the beginning and then daily take time to think about what I’m thankful for that day–even the smallest item is written down! In that way I can praise God for all His goodness & no complain or whine!
I’m trying daily to choose joy. The hardest is when I get tired at work & my emotions take over!
Thank you for being so open & honest–Great post!
Mel says
Heather, thank you. Thank you for this beautiful reminder, for allowing us to see into your heart, for being you. The last six months have been a difficult season in my life, and choosing JOY has truly been how I’ve had to live each day. Some are harder than others, but I make it a point to sit down and actually blog my blessings at least once a week. It helps to see them written out…and to see the beauty it what is often ordinary life. 🙂 I’m right here with you making that choice. Praying.
Janet says
I’m there with you. It has been my choice to respond to the Lord that way during my illness that “defined” my life for nearly 7 years. And it would shocked everyone that my countenance was light and easy once they knew what I was enduring. Love this post. AM forwarding it to several fellow suffer-ers and choosers!
Diane S. says
Oh, yes, to be grateful to God for each and every day that we have with our little ones. I’m struggling with some private issues, but it is good to hear someone else say what I believe and think and practice! To God be the Glory,….To God be the glory,….for the things He hath done!
Amen.
Kathy says
Thank you for this post. I am choosing to see the good in every day and in every situation!
Kathy says
I choose to praise the Lord in ALL things to find all the good and perfect gifts that God has given me. It must be an intentional act, choosing to praise, rather than to become overwhelmed, frustrated or worried when life seems unfair and circumstances are not favorable. I choose also to have a thankful heart for the intentional act that God made in sending Jesus to relate to man and become a reality in my life. We are most blessed when we focus on living in the Spirit.
Heather Lapierre says
Thank you for this realization- seeing the good in things! Yes… I will join you. I have felt so tired of choosing to be so negative; I needed this.
Kelsey says
Choose life, Choose joy.
Once we’ve chosen Jesus, everything else is a little bit calmer.
Choosing joy today.
Thank you.
Sara says
I think back to my daughter and her decision to choose joy not matter what. her condition didn’t define her spirit her smile did. Choose joy x
Kaitlin @ Perceptions & Passions says
He created the universe, and the universe will praise Him, even if we don’t.
WOW.
Love this. It’s not about us. What we bring to the table. It’s about what’s already ON the table for us to enjoy.
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