Searching for Joy

God causes everything to work together for good.

Romans 8:28 NLT

 Are you searching for joy?

Me too.

A recent a Bible study focused my thoughts on the joy of my heavenly citizenship.

As a Christian, I am just a sojourner here on earth and my forever home is heaven… God’s kingdom.

I often do not understand why things happen the way that they do.

I know as God’s child, I am to seek to be more and more like Him.

But if I am really honest, I just want… the part of life filled with joy.

And… I don’t want the hard part… even if it is going to make me a better person.

I know that is not the right Sunday school answer.

I end up conflicted and often I do not know the right words to pray.

So, my heart cries out to Jesus, like in this passage…

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will (Romans 8:26-27 NLT).

Jesus knows what I need much better than I do, so I trust…

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28 NLT).

I often pray this way when I have no words and I don’t want to focus on the negatives. So, my heart cries out to the Lord.

Jesus hears me.

Then, Jesus sends me confirmation such as a hummingbird dancing over the garden or an eagle flying overhead in the sky above or an incredible sunset.

In that moment, I sense God’s presence.

He is with me and my joy is found.

Father, in the quiet of my heart you speak to me and I hear Your whisper, “I love you… it’s going to be okay.” And You send me confirmation that I know it is You. You are with me and You comfort me in ways only You can do, bringing me joy. Thank You for loving me and taking care of me. Help me rest in Your loving-kindness toward me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Stacy A. Davis