It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us..."

Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities,

Does this ever sound like your life? Maybe you're feeling or experiencing the essence of Charles Dickens carefully penned words. Life is complex. This merry-go-round called life seems to never stop sometimes. But the "joy of the Lord" as some bible authors articulate it, is the key to emotional and mental stability so we can have peace and joy during the best of times and worst of times.

Joy is not common in our language today. Think about it, how many times do you use or hear someone use the word 'joy'? We often hear words like happy, good, best, perfect, and etc. to describe how we feel or how we feel about a thing or situation but we seldom use the word 'joy'.

Joy means being emotionally stable. Joy implies that you know the truth about life which is this:

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace [joy]. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

So in this life, we will have tribulation. But our Lord says to be of good cheer! For He has overcome the world. But here's the central theme of my postings captured in verse 32:

Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

You are not alone; the Father is with you! When we know who we are and who's we are we can then begin to have peace. From peace, we will experience joy. From joy, we will know contentment. Once content, we will learn and show patience. As we wait, we will develop hope. After hope, we will experience God grace.

This may be a dark time in your life. You may very well be in the valley of life. I understand -I'm right behind you. You see, I too want to give up sometimes; I too feel abandoned or left to wonder where is God. Don't lose hope. Hang in there. Keep the faith. The bible says that those who come to God must believe who He says He is for without faith, it is impossible to please Him.

Also consider that you do not have a better alternative. Who else is able to do, what God can do? Consider Ezekiel 37:1-28 concerning the valley of dry bones. The LORD asked Ezekiel in verse 3 "Son of man, can these dry bones live?". What God does next is amazing! He told Ezekiel to prophesy or "speak" life into those dry bones and by the power of God, through Ezekiel speaking God's word, those dry bones lived.

Tip for our lives: Speak to your valley of dry bones: broken dreams, failed relationships, failed businesses, and bad decisions and tell those dry bones to live.

I know the refiners furnace is hot right now and you are tired. I understand your earnest prayers for God to release you, rescue you, or heal you. Despite your despair, there is one thing I know: God is able. He is abundantly able such that in our best of times, worst of times, and all times in between to do exceeding and abundantly beyond all that we could ask or think.

Let us support and encourage one another. Pray for me and I for you lest we fall. I pray for you and me that we hold on until our change comes. Rest assured that our "best of times" are coming. Praise God!

(Besides, if they don't come soon, I'll be out of cigarettes! LOL! Just Kidding)

Be encouraged! (and don't smoke)