Rejoice!

I decided I had writen enough posts about fear lately, I need to write about something else, or all my devoted readers would get sick of reading and not come back (hehehe). So I just started looking up random verses until I found something I liked. (Ok, I like the whole book, but this verse jumped at me)

Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This is something I have always struggled with, rejoicing in everything. I try to thank GOD everyday for the obvious things in my life; my husband, my kids, that I have the material things necessary for a comfortable life, my friends, my church, health. But when things aren't so comfortable, I'm not always so thankful. I'm sure my 'gentleness' is too often in way too short order, especially if I am feeling stressed. Thank goodness the LORD is forgiving, I only hope those I love are too :). I am learning to find something to rejoice about in every situation, it is a long process, but GOD is patient with me (more patient than I am with myself). Right now in my life I am dealing with some health concerns. Nothing terribly serious, but stuff that definately slows me down and makes life... shall we say, a challenge. BUT, I don't have anything terminal, and for that I rejoice. I don't have anything that will leave me handicapped in any way, and for that I rejoice. I won't require surgery, or special equipment to keep me alive, and for that I rejoice. AND, I have the assurance that, if GOD chooses not to heal me in this life, HE will heal me in the next and I will never have pain, or shortness of breath, or shaking, or dizzyness again. And for that I most certainly rejoice.

LORD, I rejoice. For all the everyday blessings YOU shower on me. For all the things I don't have to worry about. For all the things YOU allow me to experience that will help me to grow and learn and come closer to YOU. I rejoice that my trials are really so small and insignificant compared to what some people have to deal with. I rejoice that I have doctors and medicine available to me to help me be healthier. I rejoice that YOU are there to listen to my prayers and guard my heart and mind through YOUR beloved Son! In HIS name, Amen