The last few months, I have been focused on trying to find joy. Joy isn’t something you just go pick up at the store. It isn’t something I can go find at the lost and found somewhere. Our Joy is in Christ. I don’t think I have “lost” my joy, I think it is just buried deep inside. It comes up more often now. God fills us with joy. It is always there. I think sometimes it is just a struggle to show joy or feel joy, especially when going through struggles. I have been doing a lot of reading and studying on joy. The Bible talks a lot about joy. In my study time I came across this gem:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials. (1 Peter 1:3–6)
I find it comforting to know that even though we may suffer or go through hard times, Jesus is always there and that through Him I have the joy in knowing that one day I will be reunited with my mother in Heaven. God did not breathe life into us to be sad, bitter, mad or to have any of those negative feelings all the time. He gave us life to share his word and to be a light to others who do not know the love of Jesus. He wants us to be an example even to our fellow believers, and show them that you can go through struggles and not have a negative spirit or attitude. How can you do His work when you are not focusing on him? Sure, we all go through difficult times. Some people are suffering and have lost way more than I have, but in those times we are to turn to Jesus. At the end of the day, that is what He wants. He wants us turning to him in our times of trouble, sadness or pain It doesn’t mean that your hurt will go away instantly. It doesn’t mean your sadness will go away instantly. In the bustle of life, kids, work, bills, etc., it can be hard to take the time to pray and talk with God. I am working on that. I have started writing in my journal again. I am reading my Bible more. I am working on finding joy in the small things that happen every day. You can do that too!
I have been working on focusing on the time I had with my mom and not her death. I find myself remembering times we spent together and laughed. The time she spent with my boys. Those memories bring me joy. I know in her last months she was in pain, but she handled it so strongly. When the doctor would walk in and ask how she was, she would smile and said “not too bad.” I would think to myself, she is SOOO fibbing right now lol, but that was my mom. Always smiling, never letting you know how much pain she was really in, happy to have her family around. Looking back, that is the example of her living as Jesus wants. That was mom trying to protect her family. That was mom showing how she loved us. That was my mom showing the love of Jesus. How can you not find joy in that?
My prayer for you today, if you are in a season of struggle, is to find at least one thing that brings you joy, something that will make you smile. I believe if you can find one thing, you may realize the second won’t be so hard to see.
As always, if you want specific prayer, please contact me and as always, I would ask that you pray for me and my family. I know that is what has got us through!
Love,
Katrina
The Encouraging Crafter 
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