The hot flames of fiery trials and afflictions can sear the life out of us. We feel battered, bruised and burnt. Maybe you’re going through some hard stuff right now and wondering just when it will end, as life causes you to fade and lose your lustre.
Sometimes we forget that we are not alone in the heat of it all. Jesus is in the fire with us. Though He may not always rescue us miraculously, He does promise the protection of His constant presence, the comfort of His peace in the midst of our pain and problems.
How does joy fit into all of this? Surely it’s an unlikely pairing with pain? Yes and no. We feel joyless and so do our circumstances, but we cannot have the continual presence of Jesus without His joy rubbing off on us.
It’s always there, always available. Our task is to see and sense its presence, the way joy waits on the other side of sorrow and sadness, sits with grief and partners us in pain.
Joy isn’t a feeling, it’s a faith thing, a spiritual gift and grace. We don’t have to try to muster up joyful feelings, only snuggle closer to our Saviour. Because He is the repository of every good thing, the anchor for our aching hearts, the balm to calm our storms.
When we’re seeking solace, we need look no further than Jesus. Sure, we do tend to seek it elsewhere, grope for hope in other people and other things, and sometimes they help for a while. But lasting hope and help are found in God, no-one and nothing else.
With singed wings
I want to bypass hard and sharp,
miss the shards of glass piercing me
Only joy can cut a bright path
through dark, press past all our pain
and sit waiting with expectancy
for us to shake off grey dust
and all that clings tenaciously
We rise again with phoenix
of hope – blazing us clean
as we finally find our feet,
climb free with singed wings
©JoyLenton2016
There is still beauty to be found in the ashes of these dying back days, the paring away of vitality. God sees that in us too. We are just as precious to God, whether lively or weak, vibrant or dulled by pain. He just holds us all the more tenderly as we lean closer to Him and the safety of His loving embrace.
Welcome to #day15 of #31days of journeying into joy. Thank you for following along. I am praying for you all as we undertake this journey.
If anyone would like to share their current challenges, you can do so in the comments below, or message me privately. Bless you for being here, friend.
Poetry Joy 
Oh Joy, these words bring such a comfort to me today: “We are just as precious to God, whether lively or weak, vibrant or dulled by pain. He just holds us all the more tenderly as we lean closer to Him and the safety of His loving embrace.” As I journey to see the new Grandbaby again, and my heart is aching because of my own weakness, your words help to point me to His Embrace, and the strength that He offers! HE does bring us to HIS joy! Praying for you this weekend also! –Hugs and Blessings to you!
Dear Bettie, I’m so pleased these words spoke to you today. Enjoy your trip to see the new Grandbaby! May the delight of holding a little one close bring rest and peace to your soul. May you return refreshed from spending time with your family. Praying for your pain to ease and JOY to be the overwhelming emotion in your heart. Have a blessed weekend, sweet friend! xo
Reblogged this on Michael Moore's Blog and commented:
Incredibly powerful, Joy!!
Thank you, Michael! It’s amazing what God gives us to write. This feels like sharing my life story! Though I do that more clearly in my book. An accumulation of years lend themselves to deeper reflection, don’t they? More to look back on and more ways of observing God’s grace! Bless you for sharing. 🙂
THIS: “There is still beauty to be found in the ashes of these dying back days, the paring away of vitality. God sees that in us too. We are just as precious to God, whether lively or weak, vibrant or dulled by pain. He just holds us all the more tenderly as we lean closer to Him and the safety of His loving embrace.”
Tara, may those words bring you comfort in your low times. You have such a beautiful, giving soul. So blessed to have you here, my friend!
“Though He may not always rescue us miraculously, He does promise the protection of His constant presence, the comfort of His peace in the midst of our pain and problems.” This line especially instills a quiet hope in me, Joy. I experienced His presence yesterday after I learned I have another health problem. I read Psalm 91, and God quietly promised me I am still under the shadow of His wings. I also love how “We are just as precious to God, whether lively or weak, vibrant or dulled by pain. He just hold us all the more tenderly…” Thank you, dear friend. May God give you a joy-filled Sabbath! Hugs!
Oh Trudy, I am so sorry to hear you are fighting yet another health challenge. 😦 It is very wearying to have extra demands made on an already depleted, weakened body. May our Lord continue to instil a quiet hope in you, sweet friend, as you sit under the shadow of His wings. Praying for you to stay hopeful and remain at peace as you trust God to see you through this latest battle. May holy joy seep into the corners of your days, and may you have a deep, abiding sense of just how precious you are to God and others, including me. Hugs and blessings in abundance. xo
“We are just as precious to God, whether lively or weak, vibrant or dulled by pain.” Yes, this. He is our joy when we don’t feel joy. He sits with us in our pain.
Thank you, Joy, for an inspiring post and beautiful poem! Blessings! xo
Amen to your words, Gayl: “He is our joy when we don’t feel joy. He sits with us in our pain.” Thank you so much for your faithful presence and encouraging contributions here. They are warmly welcomed! xo
Such a beautiful piece, Joy. This speaks to me the most: “We don’t have to try to muster up joyful feelings, only snuggle closer to our Saviour. Because He is the repository of every good thing, the anchor for our aching hearts, the balm to calm our storms.” It’s His embrace alone that can hold us through the deepest grief and pour in that joy and strength we do not have. So, so true. Thank you for your encouragement, Joy.
Anna, I’m so pleased you found some consolation here. I know that grief sits close for you and how our Saviour is gently leading you through the painful process of reaching a deeper place of peace. Your words here reflect on how far you have already come: “It’s His embrace alone that can hold us through the deepest grief and pour in that joy and strength we do not have.” Amen, my friend! Keep leaning into Jesus. Let Him love you to wholeness. xo 💜