Joy in Every Season
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NLT), Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
In the midwest, we experience four very different seasons of weather and conditions, of which one, winter, can be hard and dangerous. Life also has seasons, some of which are hard.
The prophet Habakkuk described a hard season, in which outward conditions were troubling. In the middle of those outward conditions, he described his inward condition - JOY! Joy is not an emotion or a feeling. It is a mindset and a decision that determines an inward condition. It is a mindset shaped by the decision to stay focused on the Lord. This results in the condition of joy as expressed in rejoicing and being joyful. This brings a better feeling from within.
Sometimes circumstances do not bring encouragement. Sometimes circumstances are encouraging. Because of this, you can't depend on circumstances, but you can depend on the Lord!
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