Joy & Fear
Abundance v. Scarcity
Contentment v. Worry
Joy v. Fear
Call it whatever you want—but how often do we live in such a way that professes our fears and confesses our denial of the promises of God?
And instead we’re called to live out our trust in the goodness & love of the Creator.
Something I heard this morning really caused me to contemplate the contrast between Joy and Fear.
We only know how to be joyful in the good times. We rarely talk about being joyful during the crappy times. Now I realize that there’s a healthy and Biblical place for mourning in our lives. But Joy comes with the morning, amen?
Instead, we generally operate out of something other than Joy in moments other than our best. Unless we’re happy and had all our expectations met, I doubt most of us experience joy. If we’re honest, most days it escapes us.
As Christians we’re called to be different, and I say that difference means that our modus operandi is Joy rather than Fear.
Abundance rather than Scarcity.
Contentment rather than Worry.
I confess that most days I probably operate out of fear.
Fear that I’m a bad husband or parent. Fear that I’m going to do a bad job. Fear that Emery will have a meltdown. Fear that people will think less of me. Fear that someone won’t like me. Fear that the money won’t be there. Fear that I can’t give or go or try. Fear that it will hurt. Fear that the meeting will go poorly.
But the truth, if I’ve decided to trust in Jesus, is that I can do none of those things. I can do nothing.
That’s the beauty of it. I should be ultimately joyful that it’s out of my hands. I’ve been given a place in something more meaningful. Something more meaningful that doesn’t depend on me.
So go. Go and live bravely and joyfully.
May you find yourself becoming comfortable walking in the grace of God.
I'm a runner, writer, thinker, and pastor. I love to agitate people's consciences. I like to spend my time reading, running, and relaxing with family & friends.