This is an excerpt from a journal from June 17, 2020. This was written in the first summer, only three months after the first shut down. I was already in a battle of depression and anxiety. I call this my sleepless summer. I suffered from insomnia and constantly sought out scripture to resolve it. This particular entry was inspired by the book of Philippians. Paul writes to them as they battle severe persecution.
From the Journal:
The persecuted Christians have joy
-> joy is not all smiles, giggles, & sunshine
Joy can look like
Hope through tears
Courage through fears
Joy can be seen even through fast-beating hearts, gasps for air & sleepless nights
Joy is not always daylight or sunshine
It can be as small as a candle that burns through the night or a match that is a light for a flame in seconds that will burn something much brighter
Joy needs to be rebranded
Joy is not limited to how much I smile and laugh
Joy is counted by my praise to my father in Heaven at all times & all trials
Joy is praising God & singing even in pain
Joy can be ugly but what it produces is great, immeasurable, & unfading
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