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Rejoice in Hope with Joyce Meyer
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Does your happiness depend on everything in your life being just right? If you think you can't be happy until all your circumstances are right, you will never be happy! As Joyce said, we have to make our mind up that we are going to have PEACE. Seriously! When you really grasp this, you can face anything that life throws your way!
As Beth asked in this video, What does your life look like for the past year? Did you do the roller coaster ?
Well, I didn't have to think too long about it...and from the outside looking in, I've definately done the roller coaster.....
My 18 year old Daughter's Pregnacy and becoming a "MiMi"
I got re-married ( After a 14 year marriage ending in Divorce and 4 years of being single for the first time since I was 20 )
Moved into a new home with larger monthly payment
Financed a vehicle after being debt free for 5 years
Loss of Child Support income
Ups & Downs in my continued search for my birthmother
Loss of a huge planned goal of promotion at my job
Death of my grandmother
etc., etc., etc.
As Beth said, "I've had an opportunity to really lose it!"
And these are just a few of the "big" events. It's usually the little things that come into play daily, combined with the major issues of life that can really cause us to feel overwhelmed.
I've struggled with Depression off and on for what seems my entire life, going all the way back into my teenage years. To me, Depression is like a very lonely black hole and is completely tunnel visioned. It's a place that you can feel stuck in, leaving you scared and really detached from the rest of the world. I've learned that nothing outside of yourself can "pull you out". It really does have to come from within. As I've watched my daughter become a mom over the last year and struggle with her own identity issues and the stress of being a single mom, it's become a complete reminder that Depression and personality issues ARE hereditary. I've found myself on the other side of that fence trying to "pull out" someone else, but knowing that it really does have to come from within, and feeling so helpless, despite knowing exactly how the other person is feeling.
Despite the "outlook" of life events and transitions I've gone through, I've managed to keep from "losing it" and have peace within myself. I finally got to the place where very simply, I realize that "flipping out" or being depressed about circumstances will not change them and will only prolong them! The only way that I feel this has been possible is because of the hope and love of Christ. When everyone else sees you as "crazy" or has their own opinions about what you go through in your life, God is the only one that is there to pick you up, love you completely and totally without conditions and make no judgements about you. He created you and even this very moment is a part of His plan for your life. He will and does use ALL things for good. Nor will He "lump" those trials & tribulations with the rest of your life history and count it as yet another crazy rollercoaster you've jumped on. There is a peace I've gained over the years that almost allows me to step outside myself and view these things, knowing that "this too shall pass" and there will be something good that comes out of each and every situation. Learning to be positive, amidst the negative, is one of the most valuable life lessons I've ever attempted to grasp.
So, here are some thoughts for this Sunday's Sentiments. Some things that have comforted me during the rollercoaster of life.
2 Timothy 1:7
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind"
1 John 4:18
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment"
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace (soul harmony which comes)
from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds].
Proverbs 11:9
"Through knowledge, the righteous will be delivered"
Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go"
James 1:2
“Consider it all joy when we fall into various trials.”
Isaiah 60:1
ARISE [from the depression and prostration
in which circumstances have kept you
--rise to a new life]!
Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord),
for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Then you will experience God’s peace,
which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds
as you live in Christ Jesus.
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