From Sadness to Rejoicing
Scriptures:
Jeremiah 31:13b - I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good
cheer, I have overcome the world.
Romans 5:3-4 - And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance,
character; and character, hope.
James 1:2-4 - My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Everyone has dealt with or deals with sadness/tribulation in their lives. For some, sadness (whether it be from trials, illness, disappointment), lingers on a long time, and sometimes sadness is turned to rejoicing or joy - as we rest in the Lord. The Lord will not allow/put on us more than we can bear, and His grace is sufficient (I Corinthians 10:13, II Corinthians 12:9-10). He is sovereign and in control. We may not understand what we are going through, but we have to trust, believe, and know that the Lord can and will work things out for us - according to His perfect will. From James 1:2-4, James isn't saying we are to rejoice over pain, but we should rejoice because God's purposes are being accomplished in our lives. We have to learn to look at our circumstances/challenges from God's perspective and realize that a trial is not a happy experience, but God produces something of great value in our lives when we go through our challenges.
I was hospitalized from Friday, February 15th to February 17 (2019). I had been having heaviness in my chest for several weeks. After several tests, the doctors/cardiologist said that fluid was around my heart, my heart was enlarged, I was dehydrated, my thyroid level
was too high and my thyroid dosage had to be increased, and my kidney level was higher than usual. Also, they wanted to make sure I didn't have clots on my lungs. My blood pressure wasn't high, but was pulse was between 107-110 for several days. Then I was informed that if the fluid didn't go way in one month, I would have to have a procedure to remove the fluid by inserting a needle in my chest. That was a lot for me to hear at one time. I kept praying and believing that the Lord (Jehovah Rophe) would heal me. Then I was overwhelmed for a while. I thought about how my mother had several heart diseases, and how she had to carry around an oxygen tank for three years.Then recently, a Christian singer on "The Voice" (Janice Freeman) just passed, and she was only 33 years old. She
previously had cervical cancer, lupus, bronchitis, and she had blood clots which traveled to her heart. Many scriptures came to my mind -- some of which are Jeremiah 31:13b, John 16:33, Romans 5:3-4, James 1:2-4. These scriptures are so encouraging to me!
I am not afraid to die, but I am believing that the Lord will heal me. I won't give up. At the same time, I know "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Also, it is very comforting to know that " For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (II Corinthians 5:7-8). My life is in the hand of my sovereign and awesome Lord Jesus Christ!! Robert and I have been talking about how so many positive things came out my experience with this recent illness while I was hospitalized and after I was released from the hospital. Many tracts were given out while I was hospitalized. I had to allow the Lord to stabilize my thoughts over a period of time (II Corinthians 10:5). My thyroid medication was increased. The next time I was supposed to have the TSH blood test was in four months when I had my next complete physical examination. I am now drinking six 16.9 ounces bottles of water per day instead of only two bottles of water, which is very helpful to me. I have changed my eating habits even more, and I am getting more rest. I am learning more and more about resting in the Lord through trials. It is so amazing how the Lord encourages me as I am reading, studying/meditating on His word and consistently praying!! When I went to see my cardiologist one month after I was released from the hospital, the EKG results was very good! The result of the Echocardiogram was that the fluid around my heart is almost gone, and I don't have an enlarged heart! I am still taking pain medication, but I'm taking it less often. I have an appointment to see the cardiologist in three months. Thank you Lord!! You are my Jehovah Rophe!!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: Thank you Lord for the things that I have learned while going through this illness/trial. Thank you so much for turning my sadness into rejoicing!!! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Marsha Williams
Jeremiah 31:13b - I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good
cheer, I have overcome the world.
Romans 5:3-4 - And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance,
character; and character, hope.
James 1:2-4 - My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Everyone has dealt with or deals with sadness/tribulation in their lives. For some, sadness (whether it be from trials, illness, disappointment), lingers on a long time, and sometimes sadness is turned to rejoicing or joy - as we rest in the Lord. The Lord will not allow/put on us more than we can bear, and His grace is sufficient (I Corinthians 10:13, II Corinthians 12:9-10). He is sovereign and in control. We may not understand what we are going through, but we have to trust, believe, and know that the Lord can and will work things out for us - according to His perfect will. From James 1:2-4, James isn't saying we are to rejoice over pain, but we should rejoice because God's purposes are being accomplished in our lives. We have to learn to look at our circumstances/challenges from God's perspective and realize that a trial is not a happy experience, but God produces something of great value in our lives when we go through our challenges.
I was hospitalized from Friday, February 15th to February 17 (2019). I had been having heaviness in my chest for several weeks. After several tests, the doctors/cardiologist said that fluid was around my heart, my heart was enlarged, I was dehydrated, my thyroid level
was too high and my thyroid dosage had to be increased, and my kidney level was higher than usual. Also, they wanted to make sure I didn't have clots on my lungs. My blood pressure wasn't high, but was pulse was between 107-110 for several days. Then I was informed that if the fluid didn't go way in one month, I would have to have a procedure to remove the fluid by inserting a needle in my chest. That was a lot for me to hear at one time. I kept praying and believing that the Lord (Jehovah Rophe) would heal me. Then I was overwhelmed for a while. I thought about how my mother had several heart diseases, and how she had to carry around an oxygen tank for three years.Then recently, a Christian singer on "The Voice" (Janice Freeman) just passed, and she was only 33 years old. She
previously had cervical cancer, lupus, bronchitis, and she had blood clots which traveled to her heart. Many scriptures came to my mind -- some of which are Jeremiah 31:13b, John 16:33, Romans 5:3-4, James 1:2-4. These scriptures are so encouraging to me!
I am not afraid to die, but I am believing that the Lord will heal me. I won't give up. At the same time, I know "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Also, it is very comforting to know that " For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (II Corinthians 5:7-8). My life is in the hand of my sovereign and awesome Lord Jesus Christ!! Robert and I have been talking about how so many positive things came out my experience with this recent illness while I was hospitalized and after I was released from the hospital. Many tracts were given out while I was hospitalized. I had to allow the Lord to stabilize my thoughts over a period of time (II Corinthians 10:5). My thyroid medication was increased. The next time I was supposed to have the TSH blood test was in four months when I had my next complete physical examination. I am now drinking six 16.9 ounces bottles of water per day instead of only two bottles of water, which is very helpful to me. I have changed my eating habits even more, and I am getting more rest. I am learning more and more about resting in the Lord through trials. It is so amazing how the Lord encourages me as I am reading, studying/meditating on His word and consistently praying!! When I went to see my cardiologist one month after I was released from the hospital, the EKG results was very good! The result of the Echocardiogram was that the fluid around my heart is almost gone, and I don't have an enlarged heart! I am still taking pain medication, but I'm taking it less often. I have an appointment to see the cardiologist in three months. Thank you Lord!! You are my Jehovah Rophe!!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: Thank you Lord for the things that I have learned while going through this illness/trial. Thank you so much for turning my sadness into rejoicing!!! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Marsha Williams
2 Comments
John 16:33 - How wonderful to have peace in Jesus when going through trials/tribulations. We become joyful in God knowing that we are victorious either way however He chooses to work.
Thank you JESUS for being with me during the trials and the challenges I have to go through, and you used it all to build godly character in me.