Have You Lost your Joy? (Writer's Opinion)
By Carol Round, Special to ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net)
GROVE, OK (ANS - October 9, 2016) -- "Consider
it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many
kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance” - James 1:2-3 (NIV).
In desperation, I cried out to God, “I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m tired. I want to quit.”
What
was wrong with me? I love writing, especially using my God-given gifts
for His glory. I’ve been at it for over 10 years without a break. When
you commit your plans to the Lord and He opens those doors, it’s
difficult to walk away, even when the flesh wants to give up.
God
knew I needed to be there that Saturday, although I didn’t—until later.
My flesh was still rebelling the next morning when I reluctantly
climbed out of bed, dragging myself through the routine of making myself
presentable.
Arriving
at the event venue, I learned the air conditioners weren’t working
properly. Oh great, I thought. It was going to climb into the 90s that
day. We’d be baked alive inside the metal building.
Five
speakers of various ages were on the agenda, along with a day set aside
to worship the Lord in music. The conference opened with songs of
praise and my heart responded to the joyful presence of the Holy Spirit.
As each speaker shared her testimony, I was amazed, once again, to be
renewed by the graciousness of our Creator God.
Before
the day was over, I’d been renewed by the worship and testimony. I had
discovered several reasons for my presence at the conference, including
the opportunity to encourage other women. However, the testimony of the
final speaker led me to tears. Several days before the conference, she
confessed to crying out to God the very words I’d uttered the previous
evening. “God, I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m tired. I want to
quit.”
With
her confession, I realized I wasn’t the only one who sometimes wanted
to give up. Afterward, I shared with the speaker our similar responses,
which we discussed. Later, I recalled the times that King David wanted
to give up, even to the point of welcoming death. However, David also
knew the source of His hope and joy.
In
Psalm 16:11, David wrote, “You make known to me the path of life; you
will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your
right hand.”
If you’ve lost your joy, turn to Jesus, the giver of joy.
Photo captions: 1) Real joy (http://www.lifechurch242.org). 2) J. I. Packer. 3) Carol Round.
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