A Reason To Rejoice

“This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24

Psalm 118:24 is a straightforward verse with a straightforward message; God made the day, we should rejoice and be glad.  Period.  Simple enough until “life” enters the picture.
Life that begins,
This is the day my children complained and fought all morning.  
This is the day I stepped on the scale and gained weight; again.
This is the day my husband lost his job.  
This is the day I received the cancer diagnosis from my doctor.  
This is the day I received the call that my child was gone.
How do we rejoice then?  

The Bible states that we are to rejoice and find happiness in everyday, simply because God created the day, not the circumstances that surround it.  
And we’ve all experienced times in our lives that cause us to wonder if we'll even make it through the day, much less be able to rejoice in it.  
The loss of a loved one, divorce and unwanted diagnoses can all leave us feeling numb, without direction or hope.  
The surrounding questions of “why” and “how” seemingly unanswered.
Yet, there is a promise made to us in John 16:33,

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have trouble; but take heart I have overcome the world.”
 
Many times in life, we find ourselves searching for someone who understands our situations and has been through our struggles.  It seems to help fill the void and provide hope and direction.  There is something about connecting with others who have survived similar struggles and turmoil.
 
But the Bible is clear.  Lasting peace will never come from this world or the people and things that are in it.  When our hearts are troubled and we are suffering, it is God and God alone that provides our hope, direction and peace.

  It is not a coincidence that He allowed His son to die for us, either.  Not only did He allow His son to pay the ultimate price for our sins, but through the pain, suffering and loss, God is able to say to us without a doubt;
“I understand what you’re going through and you will make it to the other side.”
 
I pray today that if you are struggling in your circumstances, remember what God told the Israelites,
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open wide your mouth and I will fill it.”  Psalm 81:10
 
God longs to fill the voids in your life with His love and mercy.  He longs to take you into your promised land, heal your broken heart and yes, even help you find lasting weight loss success.  
Be encouraged to rejoice in this day solely because the One who created it, is the One who created you.  And He is about to do something wonderful in your life!
Let this be the day you rejoice and be glad!  Just because!

Let's Pray.
Dear God,
It seems as though everyday I am faced with struggles that threaten to steal my joy and peace.  And then my success in weight loss.  Help me today to rejoice in this day, because You created it.  You are a good, good Father with great plans for my life.  My negative attitude and inability to see that You are taking me to good places only hinders me.  Thank you for reminding me that I do have a reason to rejoice today!
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray,
Amen

E4M DAILY STRATEGY
A Reason To Rejoice
We can often, easily find reasons NOT to rejoice throughout our day.
 Below, list four reasons you are choosing to rejoice in this day!
1. ______________________________

2. ______________________________

3. _______________________________

4. ________________________________

Rejoice and be glad for the above reasons today.  But if Satan comes knocking at your door, threatening out steal your joy, meet him there with this verse:

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  Romans 8:18

Satan can do nothing to take away what God has planned for your future!  
That alone is A Reason To Rejoice Today!