The Joy of the Lord

I woke up this afternoon with a song from my high school days running through my head.

The joy of the Lord will be my strength.
I will not falter. I will not faint.
He is my shepherd. I am not afraid.
The joy of the Lord is my strength.

And of course, it doesn't run through your head as you read it because you don't know the song. I sang so many amazing choruses from high school. I wish I had tape recorded my horrible singing voice singing the tunes so that I would still have them today. But I digress like usual.

It reminded me of something Jennifer said at Bible Study last Wednesday. As our church family still mourns the death of our beloved two year old, Brock, Jennifer told a story about how she had to shake her 5 month old awake the other day and how it terrified her. But as she told this story, she said that even if things had not been okay, she would have been okay. And the words rang so true with me. I have thought of the parents, Drew and Nita, often and wondered how in the world are they coping. But just as I can't possibly fathom what it must be like for them. I also can not even fathom the magnitude of the comfort of the Holy Spirit that is with them. Of course, I have felt comfort from the Spirit before but I don't think I have felt in a way that would comfort and give me hope after the loss of a child. But watching the Meadows and seeing how they are going to be okay doesn't change my grief for them but it does make me realize that even when things are not okay, I am going to be okay because the joy of the Lord will be strength. I will not falter and I will not faint.

There are lots of Biblical references too that complement the idea of things being okay as well. Verses that I hold dear to my heart.

Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways." declares the Lord.

Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Psalms 139: 8-10 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

It has been a tough week. I have been extremely emotional and extremely fatigued and just feeling altogether miserable sick. And feeling sick and taking care of a 5 month old and a 3 year old is not an easy task. But I will make it through this just like I make it through everything that I go through. My trust is in the Lord and I trust Him in all things. Not just some things..ALL THINGS. I encourage you to try it. It will free you and give you a life where all you feel is joy even when times are tough.