"The crossroads for many believers is this. Satan has stolen their joy using the same technique he did on Adam and Eve. First, he built up "unfair expectations" toward God and others. Second, he tempted (and succeeded) Eve and then Adam in not being content. Notice the result when this happens: You loose Joy, You find Sin (or it finds you!)"The above quote really caught my attention. I'd definitely built up some unfair expectations of God and Brian, and felt let down and discontent as a result. And as I wrote on the side of my paper, according to Psalm 16:11, we don't have any excuse for not being joyful. We like to tell ourselves that we can't be joyful because of _______. Maybe our marital status, job, finances, health issues, etc. But Psalm 16:11 says: "You make known to me the path of life: in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." If we are God's children, we have God's presence with us always! We have the Holy Spirit indwelling us, and God promises never to leave or forsake us.
Labels: Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, Joyness Journal, Spiritual Growth