“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11 (NASB)
As youngsters we dream about what our lives will look like when we are all grown up. As young adults we dream about the time when the challenges of keeping house and home on a budget isn’t quite such a challenge. But somewhere along the way life happens, and we realize that there is always something to challenge us, some unforeseen bump in the road of life that causes us to wonder how we are going to make it through the next month, week, day or maybe even the next hour.
One of my favorite sayings is, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, but about learning to dance in the rain.” By Vivian Greene. How very true. In my own life, chronic pain has been my unwelcome companion ever since a car accident in my late teens left me with back injuries. As much as I have wished the pain away over the years, had people pray for me, been anointed with oil, it’s still there, a daily reminder that I am still here in this world.
But I have learned that I still have a choice. Do I complain, feel sorry for myself, whine and let the world know how miserable I am? Or do I choose to daily be reminded of the truth of Psalm 16:11 that in God’s presence there truly is fullness of joy? I have learned that I can still dance in the rain and daily make that choice to experience the true joy that only God can give us in the midst of the storm or the daily showers.
Heavenly Father, thank You that in Your presence there truly is fullness of joy and that with the help of Your Holy Spirit living in me, I can learn to not only dance in the rain, but to thoroughly enjoy it. Amen.
Take Action
What robs you of joy? Give that to God today and ask Him to show you how to experience the fullness of joy that comes from daily dwelling in His presence. Practice living with a heart of gratitude and you too will learn to dance in the rain.
Are you dealing with chronic pain too? Read Anne-Marie’s story.