My husband and I were emerging out of a long, difficult period into a promising new venture. I was walking high and so excited for what this adventure might bring our way. I was determined and hopeful that this new pathway was going to usher in our new normal.

When all of a sudden, from out of nowhere came a discouraging and bewildering setback. We were still headed for our new exciting opportunity, but we were also facing some confusing resistance—even persecution—that didn’t make much sense to either of us.

My son, Graham, high on a “mountaintop”

I realized that even in the midst of my mountaintop experience, I was going to also experience someone or something pushing me off the mountainside. There was (or is) no spiritual, relational, or emotional nirvana on this side of heaven. Life would always be a mixed bag of blessings and curses.

I didn’t want to believe this new realization back then. I was probably in my early 30’s at the time, but over the years since then (and let’s just say it’s been a while), I’ve not been able to shake it … because it is truth—God’s truth.

Or you may have just given up on ever finding any satisfaction in your marriage, resigning yourself to gloom and doom the rest of your marital days.

But I beg you to realize that life is not going to get better until you become more grateful and more yielded to God. And then it’s really not about “life getting better,” but about you growing more deeply in love with and trusting in God.

Changing our focus to what is good in our lives and surrendering to the work God wants to do in our hearts while we go through the bad in our lives is what makes the difference. That little difference is called “choosing joy” because joy is dependent on God and not on our circumstances.

So today I’m thankful and joyful for a husband who remembered our first kiss—which was on St. Patrick’s Day many moons ago—and gave me this cute little green memento to honor our special day!

 
” … When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2 (NLT)