Sometimes I want to Escape! - My Journey to Joy
I was lamenting recently that I am having difficulty getting enthused about getting off my butt and going out to motorcycle events. Yes, I am still committed (or perhaps someone should have me committed :-), but excitement seems to have slipped away when I wasn't looking. I know at least some of, and perhaps a lot of my lack of excitement can be attributed to my job, which has been very stressful this past year, and is showing no signs of getting less stressful. So, to dig a little deeper into this, in Philippians 4:11-13 Paul says;
"... I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Which makes me wonder "HOW DID HE DO IT!", how he learned this well kept secret. If I don't have joy, it seems I must not have learned something right just yet. Clearly all these years of my asking God to teach me, hasn't yet reached the point where He has decided to teach me this particular truth.
Then I read Paul's comments, in James 1:2-4;
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing."
Wow, so If I want to have joy, I have to endure trials and Like It!? Hmm... Ok, maybe I don't have to like it, but it does say I "must let endurance have its full effect", if I am to be "mature and complete, lacking nothing". So, I have to be patient (ouch), until the trials are complete, and by implication, I must NOT try to ESCAPE from the trials. Bummer, it is so much easier to run away than to stand. Well anyway, to end on positive note, I have noticed, that if I don't react too quickly when I am depressed, that soon, the depression does go away and I DO REGAIN JOY!. So in the end, the solution is precisely, specifically and exclusively about waiting on the Lord, to accomplish his plan in His timing. I know the end will be great, and I am waiting.. How about you?