Hope Peace Joy

Hope Peace and Joy

The last 3 years have been so very tough for me. After loosing my daddy I really struggled with my purpose and my relationship with Christ. However, each new year brought a new goal for the year. Hope, Peace and Joy.

 

 

The first year it was hope. Its really what I needed. Hope to keep living. Then peace. I so wanted to be at peace with my loss. Then this last year, I wanted to have Joy anyway.

God has been so faithful in filling me with what I’ve needed with each these characteristics of Him.

With that in mind as I live my daily life, working from home, caring for my family, home and my aging mom, I’ve been able to utilize the hope, peace and joy of Christ that I’ve learned to trust.

For instance, this week I had a day where something I had worked so hard on didn’t get the response I was hoping for. And I was MAD. Not at first mind you, but as the day wore on I just sat and moped. I was discouraged.

In my moping I got snappy at those around me. I was sad and hurt. I didn’t do anything but spend the whole day on Facebook. Moping.

That evening my husband took a moment to pray for me to find peace, but I didn’t want it. I even told him I didn’t want him to pray for me. Good Lord how awful is that??

Luckily, his prayer was a spring board for me. I’d been prompted by the Lord all day to stop and pray for hope, peace and joy anyway, but I just ignored Him.

So as the opportunity arose to be alone with Jesus I went to Him. I repented from my sin of selfishness and obstinance and asked for hope, peace and joy anyway. I so desperately needed it in that moment.

I also prayed something else. I rebuked the enemy of hopelessness and discouragement in Jesus name. That. Was. HUGE!

1 Peter 5:7-9

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

It is his goal to slam us and he will use any tactic necessary. His tactic with me that day was hopelessness and discouragement. It worked. I knew it was happening and I didn’t even care. I let him beat me almost that whole day. Sad but true.

The funny thing about that whole day? I did get what I was hoping for, I just hadn’t looked in the right place. Good grief!

So, I wasted my whole day letting the enemy beat me while I was down. But it was a great reminder that the enemy is still after me and I have the power through Christ to beat him at his own game.

 

Have you had days like that?  I’m sure you have.  How did you get your self out of that funk?  Share your day in the comment link below this post.

Praise the Lord!!

♥ Sabrina