How to Choose Joy Today and Stand Up in the Fire
As I sit and wait for my son to complete his state testing this afternoon, I’m pondering how to choose joy today, and stand up in the fire. Because this has been a challenging season for our family as we have been walking with our kids through some of the growing pains of developing an adult faith.
Sometimes days are difficult and conversations are hard. And other days are encouraging and conversations show fruit. But everyday our goal is the same: more than anything in the world, we desire that our children know the reality that their identity is found in Christ alone.
So today I choose joy.
Choose Joy Today
(Sidenote: I’m wearing this pendant as I write. It’s a very helpful reminder.)
Choose Joy Pendant – The Faithful Merchant
- To choose joy is not to be naive and pretend that struggles don’t exist.
- To choose joy is not to play happy all the time.
- To choose joy is not to hide from challenging circumstances or decisions.
- To choose joy is not to roll over and allow defeat.
- To choose joy today I stand on the truth that the joy of the Lord will be my strength.
And beyond that, I choose to raise a banner over our kids’ heads and declare that the joy of the Lord will be their strength as well, all the way to victory. Because He has rescued them from the domain of darkness, and transferred them to the kingdom of His beloved Son. (Colossians 1:13)
No matter the hurdles they face, no matter the lies they hear and believe, no matter the defeating statements they rehearse, the enemy has been defeated! The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8b)
Battle Armor
Today as a parent, I am wearing battle armor. And God’s joy is strengthening me to declare these things:
Stand Up in the Fire
I love how God works. Because in the middle of a tricky season for me, He whispered reminders: He’s got our kids. His eye is on them. He calls them by name. And this week His reminder came through my own words. An article I wrote almost a year ago was published just yesterday with Annesley Writers. It chronicles a huge revelation I received through my daughter.
I read it and I heard my inner voice calling me to trust Him further. For I can stand up in the fire, and so can my children. So if you’d like to hear what it’s like to choose joy from another vantage point, head on over to Annesley to read “Stand Up in the Fire.”
Stand Up in the Fire – Annesley Writers
My prayers are with you and your families today. Prayers that you will choose joy today and stand up in the fire.
Elizabeth Joy