"Be Joyful in Hope"

Do you know how to "be joyful in hope" as Romans 12:12 calls us to? I'm starting to realize how difficult this is for me. My joy too often comes from my circumstances...and I will point it all at Christ, but deep down I'm rejoicing in the temporally pleasant experience or situation; it's not that I am truly satisfied in Christ regardless of the circumstance. This really bothers me. I think the Lord is starting to teach me about being "joyful in hope" and that it's fitting to be expressively joyful one day and rightly sorrowful the next.

One of my fears is expressing my joy outwardly, especially to others, if I'm not certain of it's longevity. I'm afraid of enjoying something the Lord has given me, because I secretly think, "but what if He takes it away from me?" What if He does? Partly, it's a lack of trust in the character of my God. Deep down I don't always think He is looking out for my best interest or that He loves me that much to just let me be happy. Partly, it's my pride that's afraid of looking foolish to others by being joyful, only to be sorrowful the next day. I don't want to be seen as being emotionally unstable!

So, what needs to happen? I need to be free to rejoice in the temporal blessings the Lord has given me without a fear of losing them, because ultimately my joy is in a loving Father who gives us only good gifts. If He chooses to take temporal gifts away from me, it is for my good. His character and his personhood is what I have joyful hope in, knowing that He is so good and so loving, that regardless of the circumstance, He will never take away the greatest gift He has given me- His son Jesus Christ, and the salvation that He has granted me undeservedly. I have a hope in Christ and a hope for a future with Him in heaven that can never be taken away, and that will produce the greatest possible joy. 

So, I'm excited that the Lord is teaching me this. One of the tools He used this morning was a short essay entitled, "Count it all Joy" in Andree Seu's book We Shall Have Spring Again. I highly recommend this little collection of essays. They are short, but profound. Check it out at the above link!

-Tara