Finding Joy in the Everyday

Jeff Vanderstelt

[dnielei]

good reminder, it's a balance to stand in His Grace, not my own self blame for not meeting a certain spiritual standard, or self praise for meeting a certain spiritual standard 

[iwearniceshirts]

Thanks to the Desiring God crew... And to God even more so. I needed this.

[Solo_Videos]

I have struggled with this. We are called to pick up our cross and follow Him, and to me, that has always meant sacrificing the ways of the world. It is hard though, when I have lived fully for God I have felt empty and alone, isolated from everyone and left with a fear that anything I loved, whether it be love for my profession or for hobbies, was idolatry and wrong. I am left feeling empty, that I can take no joy from anything else, but that Jesus is still so far away. When it comes to making friends I have prayed for Godly friends but unless I am with my worldly friends I feel so alone. I have a few Christian friends who are older than me and live a ways away from me that I see at Church but other than that I am isolated. I do not know what to do anymore, and I am sure there are a million things I am doing wrong that are leading to these feelings. But even when I pray, crying out to God, I am blind to what I must do to not feel this anymore. If anyone reads this comment and has any insight please share, I am not posting this as a pity party because obviously, I have nothing to be pitied for. After all, I have been given so much. But why do I feel so tormented and hopeless?

[checkersssss]

I loved this and needed it! Thank you for sharing!! =]

[BigBudde]

thanks man. this is good stuff!! <3

[chrisraymond]

If you dont have joy your not a xtian??? Lol...listen im not here to debate im just commenting. People are so fickle..one minute they holler Hosanna! Hosanna! The next minute they're nailing you to a cross.

[chrisraymond]

Sounds nice but that is only true for you n ur experience not everone.