Yesterday, my husband Kenya and I took a brisk walk to get in some exercise. While we worked out, we also enjoyed the scenery. I especially love admiring the beautiful landscaping work around our neighborhood. The creativity that goes into perfectly manicuring hedges, planting colorful flowers, and enriching the beauty of each property, always fascinates me.
The architecture of the homes, serenity of the tucked away streets, romanticism of the low-hanging trees that look like a resort getaway in the middle of the walkway, arrest my attention.
The wonder of nature, for me, is awe inspiring.
As Kenya and I plowed ahead, increasing our heart rates and engaging our bodies in great cardiovascular activity, we talked, laughed and had a good time.
That didn’t mean I didn’t feel exhausted at certain points. We weren’t taking a leisurely stroll; we were on a mission Daily Cup family.
Through laughter and admiration of the view, I yet felt a few cramps stab me in the ribs and grip my gut. Periodically, I noticed tightness in my legs and a bit of achiness in my shins.
But the pain in my body did not obliterate the pleasure of the moment, and vice versa. They coexisted together, dissonantly and harmoniously.
That seems paradoxical, I know, but that is the perfect metaphor for life. Pain and pleasure go hand-in-hand. In other words, good and bad times often take up residency in our lives at the same time.
It’s not an either-or scenario.
On the one hand, we may be experiencing beauty, bounty and balance in a specific area. On the other hand, we might be dealing with struggles, setbacks, and situations that greatly challenge us.
But who told us life would be easy?
The key to surviving the ups and downs, the ebbs and flows of life, is not allowing anything to steal your joy.
Not your happiness...
Your joy.
Happiness is rooted in the abundance of things we possess. But joy is rooted in the possession of abundance through Christ (John 10:10). Whether rich or poor, sick or well, high or low, up or down, we realize we have everything we need, because we have the Lord.
To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring Philippians 4:11a-13 NIV into your cup of inspiration. It says, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup, you will be reminded that a life well lived has nothing to do with perfect circumstances. It has everything to do with a perfect God who gives us the power to endure every circumstance with joy and peace.
I leave you with this.
As Nehemiah told the Israelites in Nehemiah 8:10, I tell you today: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” When he said that to God’s chosen people back then, it was after they had completed the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, which was cause for rejoicing. But sadness gripped their hearts because their lives were still in shambles after 70 years of Babylonian captivity and being slaves in their own country.
It was the best of times and the worst of times at the same time—the perfect paradox.
Yet, they had to learn, just as we do, to trade their sorrow and pain, for the joy of the Lord!
Now let’s pray.
Dear God, thank Your for reminding me that You never promised every day would be perfect. But in You I can still find perfect peace, fullness of joy, and supernatural strength to victoriously face whatever circumstances may manifest in my life. Please help me to take the good with the bad and rejoice in the fact that I have You, oh God. And even in not-so-good situations, You are yet good… all the time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
