To everything...Turn, Turn, Turn

I believe that we all go through seasons in life. Perhaps this particularly hard season I am currently in is coming to a close.

...or perhaps not.

God knows.

Today I was reading about Joseph and his life. He also had very clear seasons of prosperity and seasons of trouble. God had a specific plan for him. 

If you don't remember Joseph's story, here is a quick recap: His brothers hated him and sold him to the Ishmalites. Then Pharaoh purchased him, but amidst this, the Lord was with Joseph and he was very prosperous. Pharaoh saw his prosperity and made him the overseer of his house. One day, one of Pharaohs wives came and tempted Joseph. Joseph, being a good man, denied her. But she went and told Pharaoh a lie and said that Joseph tried to have her. So Joseph was thrown into prison. Some time after, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and because of this Joseph was again made leader over Pharaoh's house and all of Egypt. 

When I read these chapters about Joseph, I think of my life. I am going through a particularly hard season right now. My prayer is that this season is coming to a close. 

In Ecclesiastes 3:1, God says, 

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven". 

In Joseph's own life, he had years of trouble. He was sold by his own brothers and made a lier by Pharaoh's wife and thrown into prison. 

And he had years of prosperity...He was favored by his father Jacob and when with Pharaoh, he was made the leader over the house and Egypt.

Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams to mean that Egypt would have 7 years of prosperity and 7 years of famine. Two drastically opposite seasons.

Why do you think God allows us seasons of trouble? 

I think that God has a message of compassion and unity. God wants us to turn to Him, because when everything around us is failing, He is the only one who is not. 

Jesus says, "When I was hungry, You gave me food, I was thirsty, 

You gave me drink, I was a stranger, and You took me in"

                                                           Matthew 25:35

To me, the part of Joseph's story that stands out above everything is that the Lord was with Joseph. 

"The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man"

                                                                                                         Genesis 39:2

"And he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy"

                                                                                                                    Genesis 39:20-21

The Lord was with Joseph during the good and bad. He is always with us. He wants us to turn to Him during seasons of pain and seasons of joy. 

He shows mercy and compassion. 

He shows grace. 

God is Love.

Feeling like Job

Some of you might remember when I turned 29 I was determined to make this year the best year of my life. I am absolutely dreading 30, and I really wanted this last year to be unbelievable - filled with pure Joy and happiness.

God had a different plan.

This past year and a half has literally been the hardest of my entire life. In October of 2011, my father's business burned down. Every single memory we had in that building was gone in a better of minutes. Not to long after that, in June 2012, my Uncle Jeff passed away very unexpectedly. In July, our oldest great dane, Cooper Dooper Sheeler went into congestive heart failure and went to doggie heaven. In September, my mom had a massive heart attack and also passed away. And now, my grandfather has just passed.

Honestly, I feel like Job.

Do you remember his story? 

Job chapter one pretty much sums up what happened. Job was a God fearing man that lived a "blameless and upright" life. God had blessed him greatly for he was prosperous with large herds, 7 sons and 3 daughters, and servants. One day Satan came to God from walking to and fro on the Earth. Satan tells God that Job is only righteous because God has put a hedge around him and his household. Satan believed that Job would curse God if He were to strike down everything he had. So God let Satan have power over Job and his household. He could do anything except lay a hand on Job himself. So Satan wipes out basically everything Job has - his herds of animals, his servants, and even his entire lineage (all 10 children). When Job finds out that everything he had was gone in just an instant, he does was most people (including me) would never do. He tore his robe, shaved his head, and worshiped. 

He worshiped.

During the most difficult time in his life, he worshiped God instead of blaming Him, questioning Him, or even cursing Him. He worshiped. 

Its hard. Its hard to understand why God lets bad things happen to people, and especially hard to worship God in a time of distress. 

On my way to 365 days of Joy, I have found that...

           It is not easy to be Joyful every day.

           Prayer is your best friend. 

           The Bible will give you answers.

           Joy can be found in every single situation, including bad situations.

           God's plans are better than your own plans.

Today I am Joyful for life. God gave me and everyone I love, Life. 

            Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return.

            The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away, 

            Blessed be the name of the Lord.  -Job 1:21