Joyful Journey / Tattered Faith

joyful- feeling, or causing great happiness           tattered- a part torn and left hanging

journey- act of traveling from one place                faith- complete trust; without question

to another

"Showing or feeling great happiness while traveling from one place to another. A torn part that is left hanging that was once a complete trust without question."

'How did those two ever become acquainted?? How did they end up running in the same circle?? Who introduced them??' I think those are some pretty good questions. A joyful journey is what we all long for and desire in this walk of life. We don't want what used to be a complete trust without question, left torn and hanging.

We each have a journey that has been designed for just us. Some have a journey that involves an addiction of a family member. Some have a journey of wanting a family member to be beside them in church worshiping the Lord together. Some may want so desperately to be a parent and for whatever reason, unable to be. Some may crave "man's affirmation" for acceptance. Some may have trouble sitting in quietness for fear of losing their mind. Some may have a loved one who suffers with physical pain; healing doesn't seem to be coming. And yet some may have experienced the unexplained death of a loved one and just want to know "why?".

Some of our journeys may sound the same and yet each path is different. We may not understand a particular journey that another person is going through, but we can certainly learn something from each other. Sometimes each of our journeys can be pretty joyful! And then there are times that it just won't be. There are times that our faith can seem to be the strongest; and then there are times that it seems to be left torn and hanging. What used to be a complete trust without question, has become questioned. No, a joyful journey and tattered faith just do not seem to go together. But, unfortunately, they can run in the same circle.

In John 16:33, Jesus tells us that in this world we will have trouble. He didn't say we might; He said we would. We need to expect it and not be surprised by it. I don't mean we are to become a pessimist and look for the bad in everything. That's not being Christ-like. But we are, as Christians, to expect Satan to attack us. There is a difference in knowing that Satan is angry and wants our souls, and looking for evil in everything that happens. As long as we live on this earth we will be under the attack of Satan. Our faith will seem to be so tattered. There will be times that we feel so beaten up. Our journey will seem to be too difficult to continue. To give up in surrender seems to be what's left for us. Oh, but take heart! Jesus has overcome the world!! The very One who was beaten, spat upon, crucified and buried has overcome the world! Not even a grave could keep our Lord and Savior from us! Living in that very knowledge can and will make our journey in this life more joyful!

When our joyful journey collides with tattered faith the answer is to keep our eyes forward on Jesus. He has overcome the world. He has a plan for us. He knows what it is going to take to make us more Christ-like. We can certainly take comfort in Jeremiah 29:11 > "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We need to take comfort in that. He has a plan for us. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." When things feel unbearable and we just can't seem to keep on going, we need to rest in the knowledge of knowing that He has a plan for us. A really great plan, too! He wants to give us hope and a future. Even in the bad stuff, the really hard stuff, He is working something good in it for those who love Him. The end result will be heavenly!!

What are we to do when our joyful journey collides with our faith becoming tattered?? We are to remember John 16:33 > "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."(NIV) - - - - "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."(KJV) - - - - "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."(NLT) - - - - "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."(NASB)

We are to take heart, be of good cheer and take courage! He has overcome anything and absolutely everything this world throws at us!

 

     When our faith becomes tattered may we rest in knowing that our journey can still be joyful!

    

In awe of Him,

~Vonda