My Joy Has Returned
This is for the person who has lost all joy and just can’t see beyond the season. I couldn’t either for quite awhile.
It’s been building over the past six months. Not long ago I felt like I was dying completely inside. That there was nothing else I could do or that God might do. So, I picked up my white flag and waved my full surrender. I gave everything up to God, but I didn’t give up on God. It was at that point that God fully picked me up.
In my private journal I have over 180 articles no one has ever read. They describe a man who was just desperate for his joy to return. His strength was gone and his hope was fading. He just kept waking up each day seeking to take the next God led step. He cried a lot of tears and walked a lot of miles by cane. Slowly, but surely God kept rebuilding his strength and hope.
Now, I can truly say my full joy has returned. Yes, I’ve still got further hopes of healing. However, even if God does nothing further for me I have found greater joy than I’ve ever had before. This past weekend brought nothing but smiles to my face. The pain did not ruin my time with family for the first time in 3 1/2 years. It’s like being let out of prison for the first time. My newly turned 9yr old could see his daddy was much better. That God has restored joy to his daddy and his family. I will be forever grateful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.
You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. You kept me from falling into the pit of death.
Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:1-5
Pastor Craig Crosby 