Joyful for a Cold?

I've been sick. And it has been really frustrating because it has kept me from getting anything done. I had to ring a bell and hold up a note in order to accomplish even something as simple as getting a Popsicle.

Although I didn't want to be sick and didn't feel I had the time, my only choice was to surrender to the cold and let it have it's way with me.

Do you have any circumstances in your life that are demanding their way in your life? Try as hard as we might, we sometimes can't change what is happening to us and have to just go with it.

The Bible has some wonderful encouragement for us when life doesn't go our way. Psalm 33:11 says, "But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." That means that nothing happens to me that God hasn't allowed as part of His plan - not even a cold.

And, as Christians, any suffering we endure is used for God's glory and our good. In fact, we are instructed in James 1:2 to actually count suffering as JOY because of the way we can benefit if we are suffering for the right reason and praise God for it.

You might not have a cold today but something is probably not going the way you planned. Ask God to help you "count it all joy" knowing that He has allowed this into your life as part of His loving plan.

Heavenly Father,
Even though the world in which we live isn't perfect, and is even sometimes bad, I praise You for working the circumstances in my life for good (Romans 8:28). Please help me to remember that You've allowed whatever is happening in my life. Enable me to praise You in the midst of my trials and help me see Your joy and blessing fill my heart.
Thank You, Lord, for what You are doing in my life.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen