Hold Onto Joy...Tuesday

2013 has come and gone. For some, this past year has flown by like a whisper in the wind. For others, this past year was like a nightmare that didn't want to end. Personally, 2013 was a year I’d rather forget because it was filled with much heartache. 

Now, before us all sits a book full of blank pages. How many pages, only the Creator truly knows.  As I sit at my office window watching the cold, winter rain turn the parking lot into a skating rink, I wonder, what will 2014 look like for me? Will the pages end up being filled with dark and painful days like it was the previous year? Is the rain falling before my eyes a symbol of what is to come? I guess a great deal depends on me and how I perceive whatever circumstance or situation is thrown my way. I may not be able to stop heartache, confusion, or worry from stealing my happiness. However, I can prevent it from taking away my joy. 

True joy comes from the Lord and the Bible tells us that we should... 

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” 

(James 1:2). 

Our God reminds us that although the path before us may be bumpy at times, He is faithful to walk beside us and help us overcome any obstacles we face. 

James 1:3-4 goes on to say... 

“for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 

And let steadfastness have its full effect, 

that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”. 

So, as we wake up each morning, let us not be afraid to face the day and fill the blank pages of our book. Although some pages may reveal hard times, we can rest in the knowledge that Our Creator is faithful. He uses our trials and tribulations to shape us into His completeness. Whatever we face in 2014 remember, The Lord is the God of every story, no matter how difficult it may read. He is in control.

Song to reflect on "God of Every Story" sung by Laura Story."

Written by

S.G.H.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are the lyrics to the song if you would like to read them as you listen to the song.

my she lives down the street
And her husband left her just last week.
She feels like giving up,
But she's holding on to hope.

John lost his job six months ago.
He's got a wife, three kids at home.
Doesn't know what to do,
He's praying for a breakthrough.

Some wanna raise a fist up high,
Blame all the hard things on the Father in the sky,
But He hears when we call.
We can trust him through it all.

He's the God of every story,
He sees each tear that falls.
We may not understand but one thing is certain.
He is faithful, He's a faithful God.

Jordan's had a lifetime of hard days
And all the pills won't take the pain away,
But before he hits the ground
He see Mercy reaching down.

He's the God of every story,
He sees each tear that falls.
We may not understand but one thing is certain.
He is faithful, He's a faithful God.

His ways are holier
Than we could ever comprehend.
When our world is shaking,
He holds us in the palm of His hand.

Young Martin is thankful he's alive;
The doctors said he might not survive.
That was seven years ago...
What a miracle.

And now there's this new baby girl
And with one breath she's changed our whole world.
Some say she looks like dad,
But she looks like grace to me.
Your grace to me.

You're the God of every story,
You see each tear that falls.
We may not understand but one thing is certain.
You are faithful, You are faithful.

You're the God of every story,
No matter what I'm going through.
I may not understand, You are God and I am just a man.
Yeah I'm forever trusting in Your plan.
One thing is certain
You are faithful, You're faithful God.