The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: JOY (12/07/17)
Dear Self

“Where is your joy?” You’ve been looking all over for it, but can’t seem to find it anywhere. Joy can’t be lost completely, so perhaps it has just been misplaced. Perhaps you are seeking for it in what you have in the bank. You may find money there, but sadly, no joy. You may look for it in your work, yet again, no joy. Perhaps you may find joy from your children, but unfortunately, you may find a bit of heartache too. Perhaps you might even try to find it in your spouse, but they may be looking for their own joy. You search and you search, but you just can’t seem to find your joy.

Joy has definitely hidden herself from you. One trial, one burden after another, and you feel a bit trampled. Deep in your heart, you think you know where joy is found, but a big part of you is hurting over the fact that you feel like you’ve been given more than you can handle. The One who can restore your joy has hurt your feelings, and you find yourself pouting in a corner. You know He holds the answer to what is tearing away at your soul, but you have developed feet of clay, not knowing where to go or what to do.

Think about Job, and what he had to endure. Your situation would seem like peanuts to him, yet you find some days are insurmountable. Just when it seems like things are taking a turn for the positive, something else happens, and you get the wind knocked out of you. You used to be a fun person to be around, but that was because your joy was intact. You fear that if you don’t find your joy soon, it may be lost forever. And if you lose your joy forever, you will lose your witness and your love and zest for life. You will lose your purpose.

You must believe that joy will be found again. You must believe that He is molding and shaping you for greater things to come. You are loved by the One True God. Hang on to this truth, and your joy will come in the morning… “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” John 16:22 (NKJV)
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 393 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Larry Whittington
12/20/17
Yes, count it all joy when you have these trial or troubles. James 1.God is molding you to be the person you should be in Christ Jesus.

Yes, our trials mold us that we may be mature and complete in Christ but if we think we lack wisdom, let us ask of God without any doubting for God will bless us with that in the measure needed for our life in Christ.

Nice piece that brings the thoughts of James 1 readily to mind.

Continue your meditating and writing.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
12/22/17
I enjoyed this. I think putting it in the second person voice made it creative. It felt like you were speaking just to me. Congratulations on ranking 6th in your level. Happy Dance!