In 1995, my darling Gary was at UVA Hospital for six months with a catastrophic illness. During those long months, my own body began to break down due to extreme stress.
I sought treatment from one of Gary’s diagnosticians, who had been somewhat hostile to our faith. As I left the exam room, he stopped me in my tracks with his comment, “This is such a tragedy. I just don’t understand the joy.”
That’s like holding raw meat up to a hungry dog! I sat back down and shared with him the genesis of my joy, in the midst of painful days.
Deuteronomy 10:21, “HE is your praise, HE is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders…”
My joy came from the PERSON, my God, and my Redeemer. It sprang from my relationship with Him, through His Son, Jesus.
The circumstances we were experiencing were wrenching, but they did not inform the faith that anchored me.
I shared that the tragedy he mentioned would be true if Gary did not love me or if our children were not believers or if I did not know Jesus. THAT would be tragic!
Psalm 47: “You have filled my heart with greater joy.” Joy is not man-centered, nor of human construct. The joy that Jesus demonstrated came from His inviolate relationship with the Father. That’s our pattern, as well.
Shattering events can happen that rock us. The testimony we share is that those upheavals do not define our joy.
Joy is embedded firmly in KNOWING Jesus Christ – TRUSTING in His word – EXPERIENCING His faithfulness each day, assured of His care, even when our circumstances are overwhelming.
As I finished, the physician, with misty eyes, embraced me. Joy!
By: Vickie Richey
~ Christ Fellowship