Mrs Joanna Laughbaum
Youth Pastor's Wife / Christian School Teacher
Lafayette Bible Baptist Church
Wildwood, MO
CHOOSE JOY
I have to confess…...I do not like February. It can be a cold, lonely, and depressing time of year. For singles, it is an in-your-face reminder that you’re, well...single. Valentine’s Banquets are scheduled, commercials flash glittering jewels, and Cupid threw up pink and red hearts over every square inch of stores. (Even elementary kids are pressured by Valentine’s Day!) It is impossible to ignore the fact that there is no one to lavish you with candy hearts, flowers, and teddy bears. Instead, you find yourself ducking around corners at church while desperately trying not to make eye contact with anyone to avoid “diaper duty” in the nursery on banquet night. Or worse, hiding from the weird guy at college that you just know is trying to ask you for a date. (By the way, college girls, DO NOT give mercy dates! You are under no obligation to say yes, just because someone asked you! It’s more cruel to give false hope than it is to say no.) (If you’re a teenager, you’re supposed to be single…….you are a teenager.)
For couples, unrealistic expectations driven by commercialism (It’s sooo not our fault!) can be killer. Fantasies of being escorted by mustached limo drivers to exclusive French candlelight dinners followed by glittering gifts measured in carats and exotic roses picked by monks on alpine slopes distract us from reality. (Cardboard pizza on a paper plate, dear?) For widows, sweet memories bring a renewed sense of loss and loneliness. Silent grief is harder to deal with than shared grief. For moms, cold weather brings out the stir crazy (and the STOMACH FLU!!!) in kids. Antziness, antagonism, and static electricity fill the air……..”Mom!”, ZAP!, “MOMMMMM!” (PUKE!) For students, Christmas is over and the only thing to look forward to until spring break are exams and science projects. I hate to break their hearts, but…...Contrary to common kid logic, staring at the cover of a book will not cause the facts found inside to magically
appear in the brain. It just seems that all the negative stuff finds its way into February!
But, perhaps, you may be one that is blessed with “the glass is half full” personality that loves dry skin and frizzy hair. Random shocks of electricity don’t bother you and the wonder of snow, ice, and rock salt all over the floor never leaves you. Maybe you don’t mind watching other people’s whiny children in a small room while said parents ignore how late it’s getting. Perhaps you love every minute of February. Then you may not need this little article. But, for the rest of us, a few encouraging words along with a cup of hot chocolate (heavy on the whipped cream) may be just the thing we need.
We know that Proverbs says a merry heart doeth good like a medicine. But sometimes it feels impossible to have a merry heart, when your heart hurts. All you feel
like doing is locking the door, shutting off (or throwing) your phone, and binge eating ice cream while watching sappy movies with a dozen boxes of kleenex. But there IS hope! You can survive the month of February! If you are a Christian, you have access to a supernatural power. (Think electrical outlet) This power can enable you to have joy…...in spite of the most heart wrenching, or normal, every day, circumstances. You just have to plug yourself in. (Enter background singing “Plug it in, plug it in!”) Joseph was able to keep his faith, even though he was hated by family, nearly killed, sold into slavery, falsely accused AND thrown into prison - for doing right! David authored many of our psalms and was a man after God’s own heart even though he was an adulterer and a murderer. Paul and Silas were able to sing (and not the Blues) after being lied about, beaten, and thrown into prison. (Sometimes being in ministry leaves you feeling like that!) Many times, the last thing we want to do is be joyful when our hearts are being crushed by grief and discouragement. But these
times in our lives are no accident. Our situations did not catch God off guard. It is in that very moment that we have an incredible opportunity to experience God. Overflowing, indescribable grace and joy is at our fingertips. But….some decisions have to be made first. Here are some basic steps that I have discovered (By trial and much error) that I hope will be a help to you.….
Steps to finding (or deciding to have) victory in February!
1. Stick to your daily schedule. - Devotions are more important now than ever! Don’t skip. If you don’t have a regular time to read God’s Word, start now! Your spiritual life depends upon it. - Write verses of encouragement on ⅗ cards. Carry these around and read them often. I have precious verses that I cling to like Ps. 91. - Do not lay around, procrastinate or wallow. (A little crying is ok…...just don’t drown in your tears.) Wipe your tears and get going. - Do be on time. - Do get enough rest.
2. Do something for someone else. - Get your eyes off yourself. There is someone around you that has it worse. - Exercise your ability to recognize needs in others. Your previous experiences qualify you to be sympathetic to others presently in similar situations. God may be able to use you like no one else.
3. Eat right…...most of the time. (Let’s be real) - Poor nutrition and vitamin deficiencies will cause hormone imbalances, fatigue and depression
4. Sing. (Yup…..) - I found this to be the hardest,
most important, step to having joy. - Singing praises to God while our hearts hurt is the ultimate praise to God. Doing so unlocks something so amazing, you can’t explain it…….you just have to experience it to know.
I have to confess…...I do not like February. It can be a cold, lonely, and depressing time of year. For singles, it is an in-your-face reminder that you’re, well...single. Valentine’s Banquets are scheduled, commercials flash glittering jewels, and Cupid threw up pink and red hearts over every square inch of stores. (Even elementary kids are pressured by Valentine’s Day!) It is impossible to ignore the fact that there is no one to lavish you with candy hearts, flowers, and teddy bears. Instead, you find yourself ducking around corners at church while desperately trying not to make eye contact with anyone to avoid “diaper duty” in the nursery on banquet night. Or worse, hiding from the weird guy at college that you just know is trying to ask you for a date. (By the way, college girls, DO NOT give mercy dates! You are under no obligation to say yes, just because someone asked you! It’s more cruel to give false hope than it is to say no.) (If you’re a teenager, you’re supposed to be single…….you are a teenager.)
For couples, unrealistic expectations driven by commercialism (It’s sooo not our fault!) can be killer. Fantasies of being escorted by mustached limo drivers to exclusive French candlelight dinners followed by glittering gifts measured in carats and exotic roses picked by monks on alpine slopes distract us from reality. (Cardboard pizza on a paper plate, dear?) For widows, sweet memories bring a renewed sense of loss and loneliness. Silent grief is harder to deal with than shared grief. For moms, cold weather brings out the stir crazy (and the STOMACH FLU!!!) in kids. Antziness, antagonism, and static electricity fill the air……..”Mom!”, ZAP!, “MOMMMMM!” (PUKE!) For students, Christmas is over and the only thing to look forward to until spring break are exams and science projects. I hate to break their hearts, but…...Contrary to common kid logic, staring at the cover of a book will not cause the facts found inside to magically
appear in the brain. It just seems that all the negative stuff finds its way into February!
But, perhaps, you may be one that is blessed with “the glass is half full” personality that loves dry skin and frizzy hair. Random shocks of electricity don’t bother you and the wonder of snow, ice, and rock salt all over the floor never leaves you. Maybe you don’t mind watching other people’s whiny children in a small room while said parents ignore how late it’s getting. Perhaps you love every minute of February. Then you may not need this little article. But, for the rest of us, a few encouraging words along with a cup of hot chocolate (heavy on the whipped cream) may be just the thing we need.
We know that Proverbs says a merry heart doeth good like a medicine. But sometimes it feels impossible to have a merry heart, when your heart hurts. All you feel
like doing is locking the door, shutting off (or throwing) your phone, and binge eating ice cream while watching sappy movies with a dozen boxes of kleenex. But there IS hope! You can survive the month of February! If you are a Christian, you have access to a supernatural power. (Think electrical outlet) This power can enable you to have joy…...in spite of the most heart wrenching, or normal, every day, circumstances. You just have to plug yourself in. (Enter background singing “Plug it in, plug it in!”) Joseph was able to keep his faith, even though he was hated by family, nearly killed, sold into slavery, falsely accused AND thrown into prison - for doing right! David authored many of our psalms and was a man after God’s own heart even though he was an adulterer and a murderer. Paul and Silas were able to sing (and not the Blues) after being lied about, beaten, and thrown into prison. (Sometimes being in ministry leaves you feeling like that!) Many times, the last thing we want to do is be joyful when our hearts are being crushed by grief and discouragement. But these
times in our lives are no accident. Our situations did not catch God off guard. It is in that very moment that we have an incredible opportunity to experience God. Overflowing, indescribable grace and joy is at our fingertips. But….some decisions have to be made first. Here are some basic steps that I have discovered (By trial and much error) that I hope will be a help to you.….
Steps to finding (or deciding to have) victory in February!
1. Stick to your daily schedule. - Devotions are more important now than ever! Don’t skip. If you don’t have a regular time to read God’s Word, start now! Your spiritual life depends upon it. - Write verses of encouragement on ⅗ cards. Carry these around and read them often. I have precious verses that I cling to like Ps. 91. - Do not lay around, procrastinate or wallow. (A little crying is ok…...just don’t drown in your tears.) Wipe your tears and get going. - Do be on time. - Do get enough rest.
2. Do something for someone else. - Get your eyes off yourself. There is someone around you that has it worse. - Exercise your ability to recognize needs in others. Your previous experiences qualify you to be sympathetic to others presently in similar situations. God may be able to use you like no one else.
3. Eat right…...most of the time. (Let’s be real) - Poor nutrition and vitamin deficiencies will cause hormone imbalances, fatigue and depression
4. Sing. (Yup…..) - I found this to be the hardest,
most important, step to having joy. - Singing praises to God while our hearts hurt is the ultimate praise to God. Doing so unlocks something so amazing, you can’t explain it…….you just have to experience it to know.
- Sing praises God even though it hurts and tears are falling down your face. - Sing praises to God for His mercy and abundant grace.
- Sing praises to God for loving wretched sinners like me and you. - Sing praises to God for His Word and His promises. - Sing praises to God for His protection and provisions. - Sing praises to God for……..you get the point.
Friends, let’s look at February as a month of opportunities to say “I love you” to the Lord. It is
going to be cold. Kids will squabble. Science projects are
due. You may even “get” to do diaper duty instead of going on a date. Hearts
will hurt. Bad news may come. But let’s praise God anyway! You will be amazed at what God can do with your broken heart. Choose victory! Choose JOY!
Friends, let’s look at February as a month of opportunities to say “I love you” to the Lord. It is
going to be cold. Kids will squabble. Science projects are
due. You may even “get” to do diaper duty instead of going on a date. Hearts
will hurt. Bad news may come. But let’s praise God anyway! You will be amazed at what God can do with your broken heart. Choose victory! Choose JOY!
GLORIOUS TRUTH #4 i HAVE FOUND TO BE ESPECIALLY TRUE...THANK YOU
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