Are You Looking for the Joy of the Lord?

Do you want to find joy again? There's a joy of the Lord that is possible even in spite of our trials, and it just may not look exactly like what we think!

The joy of the Lord is my strength. Have you ever wondered about this verse? I’ve often thought about it and felt a little bit like I wasn’t doing something right. I’m sorry to say, but when life is hard, I don’t feel happy.

Have you ever been there? Have you ever asked yourself the question, “I wonder what I’m doing wrong?” Me, too.

It’s taken a long time, but in all my wrestling around with trying to find the joy of the Lord, I’ve realized there are quite a few things that hold me back. They are concepts about joy and happiness that I’ve struggled to make sense of.  Understanding them (or not) makes a big difference. Take a look at my list of these concepts and see what you think. 

Click through to read the list and find out more!

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What Can God Do With Suffering?

God keeps track of all our sorrows and is always working even in our suffering. Click through to learn more about what God can do.

For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:5 NASB)

The sufferings of Christ are ours. On the surface, this truth from 2 Corinthians 1:5 doesn’t bring favorable feelings, does it? When we think about suffering, all sorts of thoughts about the awful things we see in the world today may come to mind. Or perhaps we might think of long-drawn-out painful situations we’ve experienced or watched others walk through. Suffering, on the surface, really seems to have no benefits.

But if we are walking in faith, something surprising happens – suffering becomes a powerful catalyst for growth. And incredibly, in His kindness and grace, God sends Jesus to walk beside us and comfort us in as we walk through adversity. Even when we can’t see the changes as they happen, even when we have no answers to the “whys” we may be asking, one thing is sure – the abundance of suffering we see around us or face ourselves today is always balanced by the abundant comfort we have through Christ.

Click through to read more! FREE PRINTABLE! A Prayer for Adversity

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What to Expect from God When Life Sends You the Unexpected

Have you been taken by surprise by the unexpected? Click through to read more about what you can expect from God at a time like this.

Sometimes life sends you the unexpected. Something you didn’t want and didn’t ask for will hit you right out of the blue. Perhaps it’s a physical problem, illness, or the death of someone you love very much. Perhaps it’s a heart issue between you and a friend or a spouse who abandons you. The list could go on and on, could it not?

It just seems like too much, doesn’t it?

When these things happen, there’s often no real answers in sight to explain the whys and the what ifs. It can be so painful and agonizing.

But one thing we do have is the truth. And the truth tells us that we have a God who is with us, who cares deeply and who walks alongside us in the most difficult of circumstances.

When you are walking that long and lonely road through the unexpected, here’s something you can rely on.

Click below to read more and find encouragement in the midst of the unexpected.

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How to Handle Unrealistic Expectations in Your Prayer Life

Do you feel frustrated or disillusioned in your prayer life? These very real experiences can sometimes be traced back to unrealistic expectations. Join us today as we look at three very common prayer life expectations through the lens of some truths from God’s Word.

Great things happen when we pray. It’s our open door to knowing God better and being in a close relationship with Him.

But what about those times when prayer doesn’t seem to be working? Maybe you feel frustrated in your prayer life. You might wonder if God is listening. Maybe you’ve asked yourself if prayer is really worth all the effort. Perhaps you feel disappointed because God does not seem to be answering.

These are very real experiences. I think I could safely say that nearly all of us have these kinds of struggles in some form or fashion in our prayer lives. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, but it is very important to evaluate why you might be feeling these things.

Join us today as we look at three very common prayer life expectations through the lens of some truths from God’s Word.

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How to Handle Unrealistic Expectations – Part 2, Letting Go

Do you have trouble letting go of unrealistic expectations? Read more for some truths from God’s Word that will help you let go and find peace.

“Sometimes we just have to let go of our expectations and let God work!”

I read this text from my friend, Natasha, and I thought, “It’s true, isn’t it?” Our expectations can sometimes get in the way of God’s work.

Do you have trouble letting go of unrealistic expectations? Do you wish you could find more contentment in life? Read more for some truths from God’s Word that will help you let go and find peace.

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