Return to Joy

CONSIDER THIS

Benjamin Weir was abducted by terrorists on a Beirut street and imprisoned under miserable conditions for 16 months. 495 days in captivity. In his first interview after his release, he was asked how he spent his time, how he dealt with boredom and despair. His answer stunned the reporters. He simply said, “Counting my blessings.”

“Whaaaat?” they responded. “Blessings?”

“Yes,” he explained. “Some days I got to take a shower. Sometimes there were some vegetables in my food. And I could always be thankful for the love of my family.”

That’s what it means to return to joy in the midst of distressing anxiety-filled days. Choose joy and live differently than the culture around us. Live as citizens of God’s kingdom.

You see, we were made by God to live in joy. We can have true joy regardless of the circumstances. All because the circumstances of life do not change the faithfulness of God. Let that sink in.  

So count your blessings no matter the chaos that may be swirling around. We have countless reasons to return to joy.

*Due to a lightning strike on our church building, we are able to offer only an audio for the sermon this week