Joy Challenge Outcome

Joy was sometimes hard to for me to find in the month of February! But, "With God all things are possible.'' (Philipians 4:13) I have had a messed up immune system all year so it has been hard being joyful through that! Sadly enough, joy has always been a struggle of mine, so it was hard for me to be joyful at times. I loved being challenged, though, because it made me stop and take every thought captive. It was so wonderful having the Joy of the Lord flow threw me! There are things that bothered me on specific days and I would start to get frustrated! But in February, I would remind myself to be patient, wait for a second and calm down, then speak. I often found joy in the hardest moments, since the Lord was gracious to me and helped me be joyful . I found the strength to press on even when I didn't feel like it! Thank you Lord! It is a lot of work being joyful, even more so in all circumstances! I forgot to do a lot of the little things Jenna wanted us to do! But I will write several of the verses that I liked pertaining to joy!

Psalms 30:10-12

¹⁰ Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."

¹¹ You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

¹² that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Psalms 51:11-12

¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.

¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Romans 12:11-13

¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Galatians 5:22-23

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Philippians 4:4

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

1 Thessalonians 5:16

¹⁶Be joyful always

James 1:2

²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

1 Peter 1:8

⁸Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

Here are some of the things that brought me joy last month were:

1. Playing in the snow at my friends' house! I don't get the chance to do that often!

2. Hearing my little "adopted nephew" tell me that he loved me and was glad that I got to visit his house!

3. Spending time at my grandparents' house!

4. Driving home and taking a long much needed nap! LOL

I hope everyone had a wonderful month!

In Christ,

~Mac