Choose Joy

Monday Musical Motivation

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. ~ James 2:1

I am just recovering from our Women’s Ministry weekend retreat, Crowned With Joy, and I have to admit—I was feeling very spiritually pumped up. It is always so inspiring to spend time with other women of faith, hearing messages I need to hear, resting in the presence of our Lord in Adoration, and listening to beautiful praise and worship music.

But then it’s back to reality, and sometimes reality comes with a vengeance.

That is how this week unfolded.

My daughter, who attended the event, ended up in the hospital Sunday night after an unfortunate accident. Today we spent the day trying to find the appropriate care she needs while running into one roadblock after another. Tomorrow we will head to St. Louis to see a specialist, but it appears this may be a long road to recovery for her.

And then come the questions.

Why?
Things were going so well for her.
This may negatively impact some truly good things she was doing in our community.
How can life change so dramatically in a single moment?

I found myself returning to the message of the weekend:

Choose joy.

Even when you do not like what you have been given, it is still what God has permitted in your life, and you must decide how you will respond. Of course, there are other options. We can choose despair, depression, or hopelessness. But how do those choices help us move forward?

We can spend our lives trapped in the “why,” but some questions may never be answered on this side of eternity.

So what is our option?

Choose joy.

Choose it despite the circumstances. Choose it even when it surpasses all understanding. Choose it because our hope is rooted in a God who never disappoints.

The world desperately needs that witness. It needs people who continue to radiate hope and joy even in difficult seasons.

So tonight, this song is meant to encourage us all—to lift our hearts and remind us to keep choosing joy.

And this week, it is not only a message for all of you… it is also a love note from a mom to her hurting daughter.

Choose joy.