Monday, August 3, 2009

joy...

Tiffany’s, Zales, Harry Winston, Robbin’s Brothers are known for selling diamonds. But have you noticed that the commercials all show diamonds against a black background? Or if you've ever gone diamond shopping, dealers always place the diamond on black cloth. Why? Because when placed against something so dark, the full brilliance is shown to all who are viewing it. True spiritual joy is the same way. It shines brightest against the darkness of trials, tragedy, and testing. The darker the background, the brighter the brilliance.

Similarly, life’s dark struggles make Christian joy more intense and our praise more glorious!

Why? Joy is an expression of Godliness. Joy is a sure sign of the presence of God in our lives. As children of God we have many things to be grateful for. I have ten toes, I'm grateful. I have my sight, I'm grateful. I have a bed, I'm grateful. I can breath on my own, I'm grateful. Health and life are given by God therefore I'm grateful. Paul encourages us to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4)! But no matter the circumstances we are called to be joyous. So if I lose a toe, wear a glass eye, sleep on the floor, and develop asthma, I am going to deliberately choose to praise God's name because it is the perfect will of God for my life (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Sometimes when we are depressed and don’t feel like being Christian, its easy for us to give up. In dark moments when praising God seems too hard and joy seems impossible, let someone else help you. Put on some worship music and let the praises fall off your lips. Better yet, put on some gospel music! Bust out some Kirk Franklin, Martha Munizzi, and Fred Hammond any day and I'll show you a simple rule: when we glorify God in the midst of our trials, we become a beacon on light in the dark world around us.

15 comments:

Kate said...

love you. love this today.

Melinda said...

What's so great is that when we worship Him, the enemy flees! I love this and have applied it MANY times in my life. Through my mom's depression to being scared of the dark when Earl is gone on tour - Praising His name and exalting Him displaces the enemy. What great security is in that!!

Anonymous said...

Girrrlll,
You're speaking my language! Go ahead and dance if you want!!
Fred Hammonds' 'Pages of Life: Chapter 1 & 2' is the best.
Thank you for the reminder to: "Bless the Lord at ALL times and his praise shall CONTINUALLY be in my mouth." (Ps. 34)

juniorj said...

should have knew you had a blog. Good to read how God is working in your life sister. Hope things are well.

christy said...

so applicable to many people's lives today...my life...i'll do some dancing today!

Confused Christian said...

So true and yet many Christians decided to ignore the light God has given us... lately I have noticed that one of my friends from Church has been acting strange with my family, I asked her what happened, she told me that because I have ungodly friend she can not be seeing with me or my friends, how am i supposed to disciple this people if my own church people is rejecting them just because they do not behave the way they live life, I can not force people to change because I am not God , the only thing I can do is accept them and pay for them. Who am I to judge and decided who is godly and who is not?? I am just a sinner may be the worst one, it is sad to see how us a Christians we close the doors of heaven to other just because we let an image get in out way... Thanks for your post Bianca, I thank God for your Blog and for KIR..

JACKY FIGUEROA said...

Did J call you yesterday or what?? I was totally not feeling Christian last night!! Funny because we had a GREAT weekend, but the enemy just loves kicking us in the rear!!
Lots of Love :)

Anonymous said...

The image of a diamond on a black background... and the correlating joy again trials is genius!

I love your blog and while I'm not a "daily devotion book" kind of girl I love your daily posts. :) Score one for the bloggy-world!

Anna said...

awesome post. i know you don't know me at all, but you have ministered to me! thank you. God had just gotten it through my head minutes ago that every good and perfect gift is from above. while my baby girl was the good and perfect gift i was referring to on my blog, He reminded me that these trials ARE blessings and gifts as well. and if i'd just settle down that He WILL use it for His glory, always!!! and now, i pray my joy in Him will be evident to all who know me! thanks for sharing your heart!

Anonymous said...

...and your boyfriend was somehow squeezed into this post too! haha. Paul is a genius though.

Bianca said...

I sometimes feel like a lame-o posting the things I do. Like, they're so banal but it's what the Lord is showing me so why not pass it along? I'm glad it's meaningful to some :)

FYI I totally pray for those that visit the blog! The Lord can use something silly like a blog to lead people to an appreciation for Him. So know that I appreciate the love...

Anonymous said...

Bianca, never think that what you post is banal.. oh girl it's a gift and my devotional , so please keep on caming..

Cindy A. said...

Hah! Funny, I was just telling one of my girlfriends (who happens to work with me) that I wasn't feeling the joy lately. I told her I wasn't feeling down or angry or depressed or anything negative, but that I wasn't feeling the joy of the many blessings I have. Thanks, friend!

Anonymous said...

I love diamonds now because of my hubby and i never ever saw them that way, thank you!!! And its funny cuz I have a prayer journal and my friend gave me this pretty new journal so i decided last week to name that one my THANKFUL journal!!!! :)

Lydia said...

Before I even read your comment, I was going to tell you how I like to comment when a post especially speaks to me. I seem to do that often on your blog! You've got a way with words, girl! Thanks for allowing Christ to use your fingers to speak to us!

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