Returning to Joy...again and again!

Today I would like to share with you what has become my "spiritual survival image."

Why?

Because life can be overwhelming, frustrating (people and circumstances don't always cooperate with our "plans"...amazing!), and stressful to the point of sending us "over the edge."

So here is where the Lord always seems to take me, even in the dark, even in the not-knowing...perhaps especially in the not-knowing.

And in the going, there is peace...

And then joy...again and again:

I have this recurring image.  It began in worship one Sunday years ago.  I was struggling emotionally about some issue.  Then out of the blue, I had a sense, not a literal vision, but rather a picture in my spirit.  The picture was of Jesus and me climbing a mountain.  He had me by the hand and was carrying a "Santa-like" sack on His back.

Suddenly He stopped climbing and turned to me saying, "We can't go up any higher until you throw that burden you are carrying into my sack.  You need to let ME carry it!"

So I threw it in!  And oh, the JOY and peace...and we kept climbing together!

Now often when I'm struggling with an overwhelming circumstance, an offense, a disappointment, a slight, a rejection, whatever, I see and hear my Traveling Companion, my Guide, my Empowering Savior say, "Okay, Jan, throw it in!  We can't go any higher if you don't!"

And when I throw my burden in Jesus' sack, freedom and JOY flood my soul!  Then we can go on climbing hand in hand together, why?  Because...

...the JOY of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

How about you?  Do you have a burden that you weren't meant to carry?  Throw it into Jesus sack!  Return to JOY and keep on climbing hand in hand with Him!

Lord, take me higher and higher in my experience of YOU and all there is of Your Fulness! 
The world has a downward drag! 
But I cling to You, rejoicing in my Risen, Indwelling Son of God!  Amen!

It is God's will that I should cast
On Him my care each day;
He also bids me not to cast
My confidence away.
But oh, I am so foolish
That when taken unawares,
I cast away my confidence
And carry all my cares.
T. Baird

...casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 
1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. 
Psalm 55:22 NIV

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 
Hebrews 10:35 NKJV