“Joy matures as you surrender everything you have and all you are to God.”
Not my will, but Your will, Lord, be done!
Anyone who knows my dad has probably heard him joyfully end a statement with “Lord willing!”
- “I will see you tomorrow, Lord willing!”
- “I will finish it by Friday, Lord willing!”
Fortunately for me, my parents “spoke” this part of their faith into my life and mind. Although, the decision to take it into my heart, to place everything in His Hands, and to desire His Will, has to be mine. I am faced with that decision countless times a day. Sometimes it seems easy to do, although many times it’s a struggle.
Take a minute to read James 4:13-15 – he specifically tells us we ought to say “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As I read this Scripture, it reminds me to be careful over any plans I make. I must remember to commit even my general weekly duties to His will and to be open to any changes that He may desire in my life. I’m probably a 7 out of 10 on the “planners” chart, so this can be a struggle for me when my days make unexpected turns. I like to plan and it’s hard when life throws me curveballs.
I need to remember to desire His will over anything because I know my Heavenly Father knows best, even if it hurts. And to pray over my plans and dreams… “What if, God? But if not, may Your will be done in my life and may the things I say and do bring You glory!”
Want to know God’s Will for you today? There are 9 words found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 that I read this week…listen, and then you tell me…
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, (and it goes on to say), for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
As we closed out this week, we read Romans 5:1-5. It pretty much sums up how we should view our sufferings and trials – trusting His plan. Knowing that He uses every difficult situation to accomplish His purpose in our lives. Desiring His glory above everything. And if we can glory in our suffering, we will gain perseverance, then character, then hope!
One of my favorite quotes from this week’s study – “Hope is oxygen for the believer who is short of breath. Hope is the life preserver we cling to when everything says to let go. The odds may be long, the statistics against us. But hope doesn’t pay attention to the numbers. All hope needs to thrive is the belief that what we hope for is possible through Jesus Christ.”
Margaret used Isaiah 26:3 (pg 152)… it is one of my most favorite passages in the Bible! Years ago, I posted it on my water heater in my laundry room. Why my water heater? Well, because I spend a lot of time looking at it. It’s right there where I fold clothes. During that time, I realize my hands are busy but my mind gets bored and the enemy seems to love that time to jump in and mess with me. It may be little things like grumbling about the piles of laundry or the dirty socks that are inside out (yuck!), or he may bring to mind a huge boulder that is in my life right now. SO, I posted this verse right in front of my face! I can’t tell you the times it has helped me refocus and turn from the downhill path my mind was traveling on. Turning to thanks for all the dirty clothes because that means I have loved ones in my life that are wearing them ❤️ and trusting Him that in His perfect timing, He will break that “big boulder” and I will claim that victory through Him!
Is there a place in your life that your mind may get idle? Maybe it’s in the car, at work, or maybe in the laundry room too? Consider posting Isaiah 26:3 or another favorite verse that will help you switch your mind when you’re traveling downhill.
If you flipped over to session six already, you will see that she changed things a little on us. If you’d like to continue following along with me, here’s what I have planned to do this week (Lord willing!): I have downloaded the audio for session six to listen to, I plan to answer the questions on 165-166, review some of what I have hi-lighted and marked in sessions 1-5, and reflect on my joy bomb journal at the end of the book.
If you would like to download the audio with me, it’s $1.99 and here’s the link: https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/fight-back-with-joy-audio-sessions-M00000701
The video for session 6 is $5.99 if you prefer to download it: https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/fight-back-with-joy-video-bundle-buy-P005747704
Or, you can glance through the questions on pages 165-166, answer what you can, reflect on sessions 1-5, journal and pray about what you’ve learned, and join us back here next Monday to share your thoughts, as we close out this study!
Have a blessed week filled with His perfect peace!
By His Grace,
+Linda
Linda, Thank you so much for sharing about your dad saying “Lord willing”; it is such a powerful reminder to trust God always with our days because I, like you, am very much a planner.
The last couple of years the Lord has been really teaching me lessons from the Garden of Gethsemane, and the one from Luke 22:42 has been the one he has impressed on me for about the last 6 months “What if God (God is able), But if not”. Another powerful reminder of trusting God.
Two of the places my mind may get idle is at work (when I become overwhelmed) or when I am trying to go to sleep. One of the verses that I pray during these times is “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let you request be know unto God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.” Phillipaons 4:6-7. As the busyness of the Christmas season wraps around us, may we continue to stop and thank God for His goodness as we go to Him in prayer (for His Glory) so that we may experience the Peace and Joy of the true meaning of Christmas.
~ Amanda
Amanda – I love Philippians 4:6-7 too ❤️ Yes, Amanda! I am joining you in being intentional to thank Him in prayer for the Peace and Joy we can have because of Him – the true meaning of Christmas!
Thank you for sharing!