joy comes in the morning – when it hurts

The wind can be a gentle, welcoming breeze …

… or fierce and damaging.

The rain can fall softly …

or in torrents of destruction.

We live with both.

Hope is seeing beyond the moment and knowing God speaks to us through the joy that comes in the suffering.

Winter can be a harsh season for many. Blowing snow and slippery roads cause accidents. Frigid temperatures cause costly heating bills and frozen pipes. Bitter winds bring frostbite. Ice and snow accumulate and cause power outages, inconveniences, and must be shoveled away.

Living in a season of hardship is work – a physical, mental, and emotional drain.

But then, there is always the promise of the next morning when the sun, always dependable, always constant, always God’s way of speaking to the world of his existence, illuminating the landscape, revealing HIS GLORY.

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icy weed.jpg

But … you have to see it. You have to want to see it. You have to believe it.

You have to welcome it into your life.

Things will look better in the morning because weeping endures for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

~~~

Photo credit: Kathy Moulton

The Bible tells us not to fear.

My first response is, how? There is so much to be fearful about. What if this happens? What if that happens?

I’ve come to the conclusion that we won’t fear if we trust God. It’s that simple. That doesn’t mean trusting him that all will be well because we don’t know if it will. We pray. We ask. And we accept. Whatever we go through he promises to be there with us, helping us and comforting us.

Trusting God takes time. When you look back and see that you made it through something, even though you have wounds and scars, you learn to trust him. Only he can help you make it through.

We never minimize pain. It’s real. Feel it. But in time, change your focus. Decide to think about the good and not just the bad. When we allow ourselves to feel again, we find ourselves getting stronger.

Notice I said allow ourselves. I remember times of not allowing myself to be happy..to smile..let alone laugh. I wanted to hurt. Somehow it helped me to deal with the pain. I suppose that’s why people cut themselves.

God is gentle and patient. He leads us through the tragedies, the sorrow, and the horror of life.

There is so much we do not understand. I can’t wallow in the unfairness of life. It just exists. Why consume myself with questions that cannot be answered? I put it in God’s hands, the way a child lives without being consumed with worry and fear.

Intertwined through the pain are wonderful moments of joy. If you think a good God wouldn’t let this or that happen, think about all of the wonderful things God lets happen, too.

The best part is knowing the end of the story. Weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning. We live with both. And one day he will make a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more pain.

Not only that, but God judges fairly and justly. He is your defender. Keep looking for that day when he judges. You will be glad you did. It will be the culmination of your whole life when God looks at you and welcomes you into his presence. What unspeakable joy awaits those who trust him!