Feeling versus Knowing

Amen to the comment about yesterday's post! When Joseph was betrayed by his family and then thrown into prison for being lied about, I wonder how he felt. Did he feel like God was with him? Or did he have to choose to believe it?

Therein lies the challenge for real life, eh? Heaven help us from living life based on our feelings. Sheesh, we can get ourselves into a lot of trouble that way. And we can find ourselves in a pit of despair, too. The enemy just loves to mess with our minds, feeding us lies to discourage us when we're going through tough stuff. We have to fight back by filling our minds with God's truth and choosing to believe it.

When we live according to God's truth, we can overcome all the negatives that the enemy throws our way. And we can flourish in the midst of the challenges. Joseph's life proves that this is possible.

This morning I read more about Joseph's story. Genesis 41:52 says this: "Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, 'God has made me fruitful in this land of my suffering.'" This really challenged me to think about my response to difficulties.

Could I say that God makes me fruitful in my suffering? Do good things result from my response to hard times? Or do I tend to curl up in a fetal position and wish the world would go away? Do I harbor bitterness? Do I whine about my circumstances and compare my lot to others who never seem to have problems?

I sure hope it's not the latter. I want to learn to embrace difficulties as opportunities to bear fruit, more fruit, and even MORE fruit!

How about you? If you have a story about how God produced fruit through suffering in your life, I'd love for you to tell us about it here.

A Joyful Heart

On my desk sits a perpetual calendar filled with wonderful quotes. Today's quote is from composer Joseph Haydn. He said, "When I think upon my God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes dance and leap from my pen; and since God has given me a cheerful heart, it will be pardoned me that I serve Him with a cheerful spirit."

Sometimes we allow real-life problems to weigh us down and steal our joy. But Joseph's words remind us that thinking upon God gives us a cheerful heart. I've found that to be true. When I focus on circumstances that are less than desirable, my joy fizzles. My spirit is left feeling like a withered balloon. And what does my countenance reflect? Let's just say it ain't a pretty sight. A woman with a positive influence? Forget it.

But when I think upon my God and His control over my circumstances, my heart is once again filled with joy. It's never a bubbly, giddy feeling. Rather, it's a deep-settled sense that everything's under His control and I can rest. I can know that He's at work in my situation, and I'm at peace. My countenance reflects my heart condition, and a smile is a natural overflow.

The next time we feel empty or discouraged, let's think upon our God. Guaranteed, those thoughts will fill our hearts with cheer and enable us to serve Him with a cheerful heart. Therein lies the secret to being women of influence.

(Maybe this God-talk sounds foreign to you. Perhaps the only reference to God you've known is negative. Let me assure you, that's not the case. If you want to know more about who God is, drop me a note!)

Know you are loved,
Grace