Full Joy

Hardly a day goes by without us hearing of someone saying, "Why me, why now, why this?".

In Peter, he told the believers not to be surprised but the troubles and trials they experienced because they believed and followed Christ:
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
(1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV)

While we may not face persecution because we believe in Christ, as those Peter was writing to did, we do all face pain and suffering at some time in our lives. So these words of Peter can be used for ourselves.

Are you finding it difficult to be full of joy because your life is full of pain and hurt? Do you feel God is far away from you? Well Peter also reminds us to trust God even though we can't see Him or even see Him working.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
(1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV)

Even when we are facing troubles, we too can express joy because we believe and trust in God. After all Christ wants us to enjoy our reward for following Him, He says so in 1 Peter 1:9 (see above).

The song Great, Great Joy sung here by the International Staff Songsters fits in excellently with my message:

Held

How good does it feel when you're having a bad time when someone gives you a big hug? It's wonderful isn't it? It's almost as if that hug makes whatever your going through that little bit easier to get cope with.

Even when you feel as if you're on your own and no one is there to hold you, don't forget God is still with you and is holding you close to Him at all times.

The song Held by Natalie Grant is one which is so very sad in many ways, but also one that reminds us how wonderful it is to know that when we are suffering, God is still there, holding us close to Him at all times.

Held by Natalie Grant
Two months is too little
They let him go
They had no sudden healing
To think that providence
Would take a child from his mother
While she prays, is appalling
Who told us we'd be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
We're asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it's unfair

This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held

This hand is bitterness
We want to taste it and
Let the hatred numb our sorrows
The wise hand opens slowly
To lilies of the valley and tomorrow

This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held

If hope is born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait, for one hour
Watching for our savior

This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held
We'd be held

This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held

This is what it means to be held.....