Joy

Joy is difficult when you wake up melancholy. This is one of the things I struggle with due to having Hashimoto’s Disease. It’s even worse through the Winter months which means I have to push harder. I can definitely start to resent the “push” if I’m not mindful of my thoughts. 

See, that’s the thing, none of us really appreciates discipline even though it’s the best thing for us. Resentment grows out of lack of understanding. If I believed that God was a big meany I would be more likely to hold onto these feelings. However, I don’t believe that He’s a meany at all. In fact, I think His ways are pretty amazing, and I trust His wisdom. 

I’m constantly fighting against how I feel. I have to weigh my emotions against what is true. While waking up exhausted and mentally less than enthusiastic is frustrating, it forces me to meditate all the more on the reason for my Joy. This added challenge makes me stronger and in the long run will increase my joy. 

See, discipline makes sense. It’s the flesh that protests. Sometimes that joy is “set before us.” We can’t always feel it, but we know what’s still ahead of us, so we press on because of that hope and joy. And you know what? These reminders help to brighten a grey start to my day. Winter can’t win. I’ve got thunder in my blood. Time to rev this day up. 

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2

Oops… I thought it was Saturday. Time to rev down my day….lol.