A Good Thing Called JOY

           Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Hope it tastes really GOOD!

            What is your definition of “good”?  One dictionary states that good means: "Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad."  When we talk about a good book or a good movie, it’s a matter of who is giving their opinion.  What might be good to me, might not be good to you.  “Good” is subjective to the opinion of the person doing the “judging”.

            This week we’ve been posing the question: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Maybe a better question would be “Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people?” Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Despite the sinful nature of the people of this world, God still loves us. He loved us enough to take the penalty for our sins.

          Often we don’t understand why certain things happen. But  we must never forget that God has a plan….. whether or not we understand  it. Above all we must remember that God is just, loving, and merciful. When things happen to us and we wonder “why”…..instead of doubting God's goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him. Trusting the Lord wholeheartedly leads to a life where “the JOY of the Lord is our strength!”

Trust Him and practice JOY! That is a “good” thing for all of us to do!