The answer is…If our JOY is founded in Jesus Christ, then it can not only SURVIVE anything and everything we go through, it can FLOURISH!

Admittedly, I am a Mountain Top Gal! A “cup half full,” is my favorite beverage! 

I lean into positivity like it is a hot fudge sundae or a delicious cupcake! My husband can be quoted as saying, “My wife is so optimistic that she is not always realistic.”

Problem is, I am not being “unrealistic” for me! I believe with all my heart that it can be done! NEVER SAY DIE! NEVER SAY NO! NEVER LIMIT YOURSELF WITH THE B WORD, ‘BOUNDARIES!’ ‘The Little Engine That Could, is my Mantra, “I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN!”

So what happens to the Mountain Top Gal when reality smashes into positivity?

I FALL HARD!

Living on the peak of the mountain, can land you covered in a pile of rock and rubble after the avalanche settles!

It can be something as small as returning from a family celebration and missing my children and grandchildren all over again.

It can be as gigantic as watching my mom slowly fade away as her original self is swallowed up by Alzheimer’s.

Friends, you can fill in the blanks with me… Health turns to illness, wealth turns to poverty, friendship turns to betrayal, freedom turns to captivity…

What is it for you? If you are living on planet earth, then you too are confronted with the ebb and flow of happiness to sorrow.

Friend, what it takes is a MIND SET SHIFT.

Christ followers have a secret, they can have Joy that stays even in times of trouble, trial, discouragement and disappointment. We just have to shift our mindset to that of Jesus Christ!

Jesus sets the example for us. His JOY not only survived, but it flourished in the midst of his trials. 

Jesus told His followers,

“Blessed are you when men hate you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for Joy.”
Luke 6:22-23

Look at the mindset shift the early followers of Jesus displayed.

James said it like this,

“My brothers and sisters, count it all JOY when you fall into various trials.“

James1:2

Paul and Silas, even while in jail maintained a mindset of joy,

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”

Acts 16:25

While in prison, beaten and bloody, not even knowing what the next day held, they had a mindset of a joy in Jesus!

That kind of joy is what I want to express and display to those who are, “watching me pray and sing hymns to God.”

Friends, we live in a culture of instant gratification where we expect constant amusement. It is hard to understand suffering producing joy! But when we shift our mindset to that of our Lord Jesus Christ, we too will learn to stop living for just today, and live in the anticipated joy that comes at the end to all who follow Christ Jesus!

We too, will be able to echo the words of Paul,

“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race(my life), with JOY!”

Acts 20:24

TRUTH BOMB

JOY IN JESUS IS KNOWING WE ARE IN HIS HANDS FOREVER! LIFE IS TEMPORARY, ETERNITY NEVER ENDS!

Speak Truth Love