Got Joy?

ByTonyaAnn Pember

   On August 27, 2018.  I wrote  a blog with reasons we should not be joyous.  Apparently it struck a cord, it is my most viewed blogpost of this little career.  So today, as Queen Rona reigns, I am sure joy seems like a distant emotion.  Again, I want to turn to a Psalm of David.  They are the songs of this season.  Yet, let’s dig a little deeper. 
   Psalm 94:19 NLT “When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”   Doubt, “a hesitancy to believe”.   It’s not that we don’t want to believe,  it’s not even that we don’t.  However,  in the midst of  job loss,  sickness,  isolation,  boredom and death,  it’s difficult to believe.  We haven’t lost our faith,  but we are cautious in our convictions.   I am not putting aything into my planner these days,  I’ve used all my cancelled and rescheduled stickers!   
   The definition of ‘doubt’ in the various translations is very inclusive.  For example:

Cares of my heart
Burdened with worries
Multitude of thoughts 
Overwhelming anxiety
Disgusting thoughts
Busy thoughts

   How could one smile with these running through your mind constantly?  It is humanly impossible.  Until we allow the Holy Spirit  the Comforter to enter the situation. Only then can we  receive restored hope, which we will lead to joy.  His gift of joy is never contingent on circumstances.  

Think about that today!

TonyaAnn Pember

Want more of this content?  Join my list HERE!

Similar Posts

  • 3+ and a Wish

    ByTonyaAnn Pember

         Years ago, I had the opportunity to do classroom “pragmatic” language lessons.  I had a six-week curriculum that covered how to ask questions that get the answer you want, listening versus hearing, tone and timing of conversation and delivering constructive criticism.  I taught the kids a lesson called “3+and a Wish”.  Later it became…

  • Psalm 86

    ByTonyaAnn Pember

         THINKIN’ On  these words of David  in Psalm 86.    It was written during one of David’s many tough times.    He begins by asking God to “hear”  him and “answer”    He repeats this request again in verse 6.  And this time,   David asks God to hear him and grant him,  not what he…

  • The Power of Yet

    ByTonyaAnn Pember

          YET    defined by dictionary.com as “even, still”.  In Isaiah 30, Isaiah has been admonishing the “obstinate”  children of Israel for their rebellion.  His words are harsh enough to make even the most resilient  feel hopeless.  Tonya’s translation:   “God tried to help you,  but your wouldn’t take his help,  You weren’t willing to…

  • Darkest Day

    ByTonyaAnn Pember

         Yesterday was my worst day so far.  I have been VERY intentional about planning my day so that I don’t have time to “what if”  and make something to look forward to.  Yesterday,  my big moment of the day was sidelined by technology. I fell quickly into the abyss of hopelessness.  I wrote…

  • Mercy!

    ByTonyaAnn Pember

      I grew up with doom and gloom prophecies. I heard all the sermons, saw all the videos and lived in absolute fear of the “end of the world”.   Fear was palpable as news about nuclear bombs, communism and corrupt politicians dominated.  Then there were the so-called “men of God” famous televangelists,  who blatantly sinned…