It was a perfectly good New Years Eve. I got to sleep in, made breakfast and started to head down stairs to do laundry. About half way down the stairs I noticed the floor didn't look right. It appeared as though there was dirt on the floor because some of the carpet was different color. It then dawned on me: WATER. Our basement was flooding and it was water leaking that was causing the carpet to appear with a bit different color. I yelled upstairs for my husband. We then located the leak that was a toilet that was overflowing - thankfully with clean water...but water none-the-less. There was about an inch of water in the bathroom and it was leaking to the rest of the basement, faster than anyone would wish. After getting the water turned off, we began the clean up process. I remember knowing that we would have to get this water out as soon as possible so I began sucking it up with the shop vac and hauling up buckets.....what seemed to be hundreds of them...up the stairs and out the door. Then when we got most of it out, I started with our carpet cleaner to suck up the water in the carpet and again dump it. I heard my husband say to me, after he called a plumber, "I don't know how we are going to pay for this". I could hear the concern in his voice. To me it was a legitimate concern, but then I heard the Lord say to me..."This is NOTHING for God. After all, I flooded the whole Earth and then dried it out....surely I could do it for your little basement." It was then I was reminded of just how great our God is.
As I was vacuuming I then began singing a song we sing on our worship team:
"Shout Shout for Joy, Shout Shout for Joy...for the Lord has given you the victory! No weapon formed against you shall prosper, no kingdom raised against you shall stand. For the Lord is the Rock of my Salvation, we have overcome by the blood of the Lamb"
The more I sang, the faster I worked, AND with a smile on my face. I forgot about my circumstances and knew that everything would be okay. We had worked for hours, the plumber came, and finally we got the fans going and decided to stop for food. We then went over to my in-laws for something to eat. When I came home just before Tim, and I knew in my gut the carpet would need to come up...they were still too wet and were not drying. So I began the job cutting up sections of the carpet and pulling them up, along with the completely soaked carpet padding. I began hauling it outside. Tim got home then, and began helping me. We then really were able to get the basement dried out a bit easier, with the fans going, to make sure everything dries completely. We will be dealing with insurance tomorrow.
Throughout this ordeal, I realized that I didn't panic, I didn't even cry - not once. Instead, although I was not happy about what was happening, I reacted with a joyful attitude. PRAISE GOD!! I was thankful this was the path I had chosen. I also know that whining and complaining about something (a route I have taken many a time in the past) is much like a rocking chair: It keeps you busy but gets you no where.
Joy is a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22), and God desires us to walk in joy no matter what happens. I think of Paul and Silas who were beaten with rods and thrown in prison (Acts 16:24-25). At midnight, they prayed and sang praises unto God and the prisoners heard them. They did this because they were happy despite their circumstances, and they trusted the Lord to take care of them and to help them get through the trials. At the midnight hour, when things look the darkest and we are able to realize who we serve and stand up and understand who we are in Christ - we need to start singing. PRAISE IS WARFARE! It confuses the enemy! It tears down walls of the "prison" built up around us. When the enemy has you oppressed - start lifting up the Name of Jesus! REJOICE!
What happens when you rejoice? Well I think if we knew what happens we would do it everyday. Rejoicing is an act of faith. In Paul's own words (Acts 27:25) "Cheer up...I believe God, that it shall be as He told me." When we believe God, we cheer up. Believing and rejoicing usher in the glory and goodness of God in your life. The Apostle Peter said it in 1 Peter 1:8 in this way:....yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory...even now you are happy with the inexpressible joy that comes from Heaven itself.
Joy is the secret of faith and endurance. Rejoicing will enable us to make progress in difficult times. James 1:2 says to : Count it all joy when trouble comes." This must be why Job laughed at destruction and trouble (Job 5:22). Of course some people will think you are insane, but with joy, you have found the secret of survival and success.
Joy has many facets, it is connected to God's presence, strength, salvation, the anointing, and Gods Word. Look at all the blessings of God that are connected to joy.
As a reminder: If Satan can steal your joy, than he can damage a lot of other things in your life JOY IS A CHOICE WE MAKE DAILY!!! Lets make it a habit, and make the choice to rejoice!
What is the foundation that your are letting yourself be built up with? Jesus or the trials and problems of this world? Are your putting your whole body and soul (mind, will and emotions) into serving the Lord? Is true Spiritual "Joy" , a part of your everyday life? If it is not, it can be. ;)
