After I wrote about one of my favorite verses found in Proverbs 17:22 yesterday (“A merry heart does good, like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.”), I opened my daily verse in my email inbox and found this one: “Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” [Philippians 4:4 HCSB]
I think God is trying to make a point with me. I have not been rejoicing much lately. I may even have been complaining just a bit more … well, maybe more than just a bit?
My fatigue has limited my worship walking, most days it has simply eliminated it. I have been sitting around and reading, watching some TV, putting together jigsaw puzzles, none of which have encouraged my worship. My MP3 player with my worship music has been sitting on my desk unused.
My bodily fatigue has caused my heart and soul to dry out. That in turn has probably accentuated my inability to cope with the fatigue. I am on one of those vicious cycles where one ill is encouraging another ill … and back and forth it goes.
So, breaking free is my goal. I may be fatigued in body, but I do not have to be fatigued in heart or soul. I am going to do what God commanded … I am going to Rejoice in the LORD today! And tomorrow. And the next day!
Father God, thank you for the wisdom and chastisement, thank you for reminding me that my rejoicing in You has waned. Today, Father, I will REJOICE! Amen & Amen
