A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Rice Handford
I was a refugee from Hurricane Helene. My daughter Ruth and son Jeffrey had climbed through downed trees on the road to rescue me. My power, heat, light, internet, food supplies, all had been knocked out by the storm. Now in her home I was warm, safe, fed, and loved. My little dachshund Schatzi had made friends with Poppy, their Schnauzer. Of course, I felt disoriented, not sure where the things in my suitcase were, since I’d packed so hurriedly. Because I had no internet, I’d missed, for the very first time in nineteen years, filing the weekly devotional I’ve written every week. Discontented with myself, (and yes, feeling a little mistreated!) I looked in the bathroom mirror. And there I saw, next to my discontented face, artwork Ruth had placed by her mirror.
I choose joy.
I choose joy. I had lost nothing, absolutely nothing, of eternal importance, in that storm. Thousands of other people had lost family and home. They struggled just to survival. For me to choose joy was not a kind of self-hypnosis that denied reality. I could choose joy because my Heavenly Father was still in absolute control of His universe. And He would accomplish what He had lovingly planned in every heart affected by the storm.
I choose joy. I can focus on the disappointments, the set-backs, the frustrations of life or I can deliberately choose to thank God for all the wonderful care He has given me through 97 years of life. It is a matter of choice. That’s why God tells us, in Phlippians 4:8,9 (NKJV)
Whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honorable,
whatsoever things are just
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
Think on these things. . . .
and the God of peace shall be with you.
I choose joy. With God’s help, I can focus on things that are true, and honorable, and just. I will look to see how God is working in my life and the lives of those I love. When I face a disappointment, if I just look at it through God’s eyes, I’ll eventually see one more way His
loving and wise heart was working in my behalf.
“Think on these things and the God of peace shall be with you.” What more could I ask?