We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. ~ Colossians 1:11-12 (MSG)
KEY IDEA:
God has wonderful things for us. So it is no surprise that he fills us with joy.PRAYER:
Lord, there is a kind of happiness in the lives of those who are close to you -- even when things are not going well for them. Thank you for filling us with joy. I don't always act happy -- even though there is joy running below the surface in my life. Show me how to bring my happiness to the surface at appropriate times. Grant me the strength to endure the trouble and stay happy through it. I'm choosing to be happy because God has chosen us to serve him and that is a cause for happiness that overshadows any of the difficulties. Amen.