When It Seems Like Joy Has Left The Building - Encouragement for Today - September 6, 2018

September 6, 2018 When It Seems Like Joy Has Left The Building KARIANNE WOOD

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (CSB)

It was just one of those days — a day when everything went wrong and nothing went right.

I over-curled my hair so it closely resembled a poodle’s. I forgot to set the timer on the coffeemaker, ran into a sticky spider web, and just missed the 90-percent-off sale in the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby. I awkwardly wasn’t funny when I thought I was going to be, and on five different occasions I misspoke, opening my mouth and inserting my foot.

I was still frowning when I arrived to pick up my daughter Whitney from basketball practice that afternoon. As she slowly climbed into the car, I sighed impatiently.

Then I made my way down the back roads to our farmhouse while the same thought kept spinning around in my head like a chorus in a song: Why? Why did a day like this have to happen to me? Where’s the sunshine?

When we pulled up to the house, I grabbed my bags, shut the door, and stomped up the sidewalk. I got to the top step of the porch, turned around, and yelled across the yard: “Whitney! Where are you? We only have a few minutes before we have to leave for your brother’s game. We are going to be late.”

A tiny giggle came from behind the car. “Hold on, Mom. I’ll be there in a just a sec.” Then Whitney bounded up the sidewalk, grinning from ear to ear.

“Wait until you see this!” she said, holding out her phone. “You won’t even believe it.”

Irritated, I glanced down, expecting to see a social media post or a joke or something she thought was funny.

But instead?

It was a photograph she’d just taken of the sky overhead — an incredible, amazing, awe-inspiring glimpse of God’s handiwork, with beams of sunlight dancing through the clouds.

My anger melted away. This glorious scene had been unfolding in the sky before me, and I’d been so focused on myself and my silly problems like my hair and the clearance-aisle mishap that I almost missed the amazing sight right in front of me.

How often do we turn our gaze inward and overlook the beauty our heavenly Father has prepared for us? How often do we concentrate on the things of this world instead of turning our eyes to what’s truly important?

If you’re like me, when it seems like joy has left the building, I need to remind myself often of what’s true: “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

Whatever you’re facing today, take time to look up, and remember that God’s big enough to handle it. He made today! Even if your hair has gone poodle on you.

Dear Lord, help me turn my focus to You. Even on days when the storm clouds gather, I know Your hand is on me. I rejoice in Your faithfulness today, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Psalm 19:14, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (NIV)

Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:
On the days when life feels a little less than amazing, remember: You’ve got this. Even on days when nothing goes right. Even when you feel invisible or misunderstood or unwanted. Full of warmth and encouragement, KariAnne Wood’s latest book, You’ve Got This (Because God’s Got You), features 52 devotionals with scriptural reflections, personal stories and prayers to remind us God is always by our side.

CONNECT:
Discover daily inspiration for the home and the heart at KariAnne’s blog, here.

Could you relate to today’s devotion? Interested in your very own copy of You’ve Got This by KariAnne Wood? To celebrate this book, KariAnne’s publisher is giving away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We'll randomly select 5 winners and notify them in the comments section by Monday, September 10, 2018.}

REFLECT AND RESPOND:
Does it feel like joy is in short supply today? Is your heart heavy, and do you feel overwhelmed? Remember, you are loved. Remember you are a child of the King of Kings. Remember there is an incredible, amazing Father who wants to restore your joy and shoulder your burden.

You’ve got this. You’ve got today — because God’s got you.

© 2018 by KariAnne Wood. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Tyndale House Publishers for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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