Joyful in hope

Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Ahhhh.....scripture. How you smack me in the face at times. Oh wait, that's right....it's conviction.

Joyful in Hope. 
 JOYFUL. In HOPE. 
                           v. - to desire with expectation of obtainment: to expect with confidence: TRUST

That pesky feeling of conviction that I had when chewing on this particular passage of scripture recently? Well, it's because joyful is NOT the word of choice I would use to describe how I've been waiting (in my hope). Enduring? Maybe. Long-suffering? Obviously :) Trying not to complain? Most definitely. But Joyfully, nope. Not at all. Ouch - Painful. Realization. Made. 

The question I then had to ask myself - Why is there not joy in this adoption wait? I mean I know there will be joy in the end (hello sweet baby love!) but scripture is telling me to be joyful in HOPE, not just meaning the end result but also along the way.

God gave me a blunt answer.......COMPARISON is stealing my Joy. My comparing with others, or how I think things should be, leave me feeling discontent, impatient and frustrated. (which could sum up how I've been feeling at times throughout this process)  This joy stealing principle can apply to all areas of life. But for me, right now, it is adoption. I'm realizing that comparison, in and of itself, is unfair. God has a different plan for me than for others. Our purposes and plans are different. It isn't cookie cutter. Which is hard to fathom and awesome all rolled up into one.
 
Although I'm sure this observation is old news to others, it was an absolute revelation to me. In fact, I'm pretty sure I recall my mama saying this during my tender years (but who listens to mama's anyway?) Sorry mom. This lesson I apparently needed to learn through life experience, you tried :)

Being joyful in hope boils down to trust. Trust that God has a plan. Trust that God knows exactly what is going on. Trust in the work God is doing in me. Trust that He is using it all together for my good.


So Joyful in Hope it is. God has proven that he isn't finished with me yet, no matter how long it takes to get through to me in certain areas - and for that I am one grateful gal. Since I have identified the issue of comparison being my joy stealer, I have experienced more peace in the last few weeks of the wait in this adoption process, then I have had the entire year. If that isn't a Praise Jesus moment, then I don't know what it!!!

 
A song is a must, just sayin'

This week.......my heart's cry. He is all. He is everything. He loves YOU and He gave it all up for you.....Hebrews 12:2 "Let us fix our eye's on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the JOY set before him endured the cross scorning it's shame, and sat down on the right hand of the throne of God."  Joy. He endured the cross with Joy - because He knew what was coming next. Wow. That is some kinda love.

Jeremy Camp's

Give Me Jesus