Finding Joy

After I wrote my last post, I definitely found myself being tested...and at work no less. I also discovered another blog that I am intrigued by - a young Christian woman dealing with breast cancer and the struggles she is going through. She is reading a book by Francis Chan called "Crazy Love" and here is a quote from the book that I thought fit with what I am dealing with right now:

"When I am consumed by MY problems - stressed about MY life, MY family, and MY job - I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice. In other word's, that I have the 'right' to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities. Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives. Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control. Basically, these two behaviors communicate that it's okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional. Both worry and stress reek of arrogance."

Wow - that one hit me hard. I am so bad about worrying deep down yet saying that I am trusting Him on the surface. Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite verse and I need to truly believe what it says: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to bring you hope and a future."

The Lord is going to work everything out for us, from a house, to children, to a job. It's just all going to be in HIS time. I have been learning this the hard way, but maybe everything we've been going through is just to teach us this and to get us to truly rely on Him.

So thanks to a fellow blogger for this great quote and yet another lesson for me to get a grasp on (I have ordered the book and can't wait to start reading it! If that quote is any indication, that book is full great lessons!)