I woke up on November 30 feeling really unmotivated and grumpy. It was a real struggle to fight my bad attitude, and I was tempted to just feel sorry for myself. It can be pretty discouraging sometimes to see the “old man” – that is, the sinful flesh – pop up again and rear his ugly head.
I think of the scripture that talks about how we have been crucified with Christ, and we no longer live, but Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20). But it is truly a daily, even moment-by-moment fight to choose to allow the living Christ to live out His life through us. Until we are transported from our earthly bodies into our heavenly ones, we still live in an imperfect world in our imperfect flesh. I don’t fully understand why it’s such a struggle sometimes to keep that sinful flesh under control and under the authority of Christ, but I believe in the word of God. Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends and disciples, wrote this in 2 Peter 1:3-4,
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Joy is not based on feelings. I’m so glad! I am a pretty emotional person, and God is teaching me how to live life based on truth, not emotions. There are times when we simply have to stir up our hearts, like a fire that is about to go out…we need to put on some more logs and maybe even douse it with some fuel to warm ourselves up to allowing the joy of the Lord to fill us even to the overflowing of our hearts.
I sat down at the piano that morning and wrote a song straight from my heart. Here are the lyrics…maybe I’ll even record this song someday soon! 🙂
What do I do when I feel my heart is so cold?
I can’t shake the heaviness out of my bones
The clouds are covering the sun that shines bright
And I can’t seem to fight today
Sunshine of my soul
Come burn up the icicles
Let me sing joyfully because you are worthy
Let everything in me shout out your praise
I sing of your glory, and how you are holy
No matter how I feel today
What do I do when I see the old me alive
The old me that died when I gave you my life
I’m asking, Lord, for your life to renew
My heart and my mind and everything that I do
Sunshine of my soul
You’re living in me, I know
Let me sing joyfully because you are worthy
Let everything in me shout out your praise
I sing of your glory, and how you are holy
No matter how I feel today
You stay the same and your love never fades
You are glorious and mighty, righteous and holy
I don’t live by feelings, but I live by the Spirit of truth
So I will sing joyfully because you are worthy
Let everything in me shout out your praise
I sing of your glory, and how you are holy
No matter how I feel today
No matter how I feel today
No matter how I feel today
Friend, if you are feeling joyless lately, I want to encourage you to stir up that fire in your soul. Sing some joyful songs – not because you feel like it – but because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He is worthy!
Blessings,
Lindsey