But God

Some days just hurt—intense physical pain, unhealed emotional wounds, unresolved circumstances, unfulfilled promises, and questions which have had no answers.

But.

Please don’t give in. Don’t quit. Refuse to agree with hopelessness and fear. Remember who you are—you’re God’s royal child, and his kingdom is made of joy (Rom. 14:17). Joy is your inheritance, part of your spiritual DNA. It can displace every negative it touches, like the rushing waters of a dam burst. Joy is the overflow of the atmosphere of heaven, the substance of delighting yourself in God.

There’s where your freedom is—delighting in God, instead of stressing about everything else. Every moment you give to your relationship with God destroys the ability of the enemy to hurt you with lies and fears.

Take the time to hear your Father speak to your heart, until pain has no power over your soul. Thank him for every good thing in your life, until joy is the dominant state of your mind.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matt. 11:28-30, MSG).