Have You Ever Felt This Way?

 There have not been many times, but the times I have felt like it – I will always treasure. What were those times? When I was in a church service where the anointing of God was so strong. that I felt as if I could go right into heaven rejoicing! Why doesn’t this happen all the time: Is God short on delivering His presence? Hardly. Those times are few because too often I have to confess to being weighed down with the cares of this life – and with those cares responsibilities that I felt that only I could do! So along with marvelous praise and worship, a part of me was tied up  trying to work something else out.  I am not saying this to my credit, it is an area that I am constantly working on – to choose JOY, overwhelming joy, over everything else:

Although you haven’t seen Jesus, you still love Him. Although you don’t yet see Him, you do believe in Him and celebrate with a joy that is glorious and beyond words. 1 Peter 1:8 (The Voice)

Have you ever felt this way? That even though you have not seen Jesus, you know that you love Him with all your heart? That His presence is so glorious that you can’t even find words to describe it? 

And, 

Have you ever felt that even though you believe God, you believe His promises, and you know that you trust Him – that part of you is torn in a dozen directions trying to work out the problems in your life?

If you felt either of these ways, or both, then you are part of God’s human family. You feel emotions that sometimes conflict with each other. 

This morning on the prayer line we were reminded of something; happiness is an emotion – but joy is an attitude – it is a choice! So while happiness may seem elusive at times, you can have  joy all the time. I am reminded of a song made popular by Larnelle Harris:

To tell the truth, this world is full of trouble
And if we live long enough it’s sure to come our way
We’ve a choice to walk in fear and trembling
Or claim the victory that’s already ours this very day

I choose joy
I’ll never let the problems keep me down
‘Cause the Lord is working all things out
For my good
I choose joy.

From the album I Choose Joy by Larnelle Harris

Think of it, attitude is something we get to choose – I will choose joy, I will seek for His wonderful glory!

Maria