IS MY STRENGTH
I started this new year suggesting we bring a new Outlook to the table. This notion for me is, “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” The new year can bring trials and tribulations. Is it really possible to have joy in our everyday lives, when bills are piling up, the children are sick and we’re struggling with emotional problems, how can we find joy in that kind of day?
The answer to this question comes from a true story about the ten Boom Sisters. These sisters were the victims of the incarceration during second world war. Born and raised in the Netherlands Corrie and her sister Betsie were imprisoned when Germany took over the Netherlands. Their constant and never tiring help, hiding, rescuing, and nurturing any in person who was in dire straits, were largely the Jews of that time. Corrie, Betsie and her father were arrested for harboring Jews, crimes against the state and were sent to concentration camps. Their father, Casper died 10 days later, Corrie was put in solitary confinement. Betsie was sent to the political labor camp called Kamp Vaught. Upon Corries released, and she and Betsie were sent to together to Ravensbrück concentration labor camp for women. They were imprisoned in cellblock 28 which was infested with fleas. Betsie had about reached her limit when Corrie told her to read I Thessalonians 5:16-18, [ from the Bible, that they managed to keep when they were arrested]. When Betsie read these verses that required rejoicing, praying without ceasing and giving thanks in all circumstances. Corrie told her that was the answer. “The answer to what?” Betsie asked. Thank God and be happy that we are together, we have shelter and even be thankful for the fleas. Betsie said that’s where she drew the line that she was not going to be thankful for the fleas, but Corrie encouraged her that’s what God intended for them. After work every day Corrie and Betsie read the Bible to the women in cellblock 28. The guards never tried to stop them even though it was against the rules. Later Corrie found out the guards never came to cellblock 28 because of those very fleas. Betsie’s health deteriorated until she died on December 16, 1944. Fifteen days later Corrie was released due to a clerical error and the next week all the women in her age group were sent to the gas chamber. But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50:19-21
It was after I heard the story of the ten Boom sisters it inspired me to have a new Outlook on life. We can choose joy in all our circumstances because Jesus is our strength our hope and our salvation. I don’t pretend that we are going to go dancing around with halos overhead skipping and singing la, la, la, because life is hard and we are going to go through trials and temptations every day of our lives. But Jesus will give us strength, and comfort and yes even joy through it all.
We as parents must be the purveyors of these truths, that the joy of the Lord can be our strength! How can we purvey this to our children? By living the life that screams it! By finding joy in our children in our everyday life and even in circumstances that don’t necessarily warrant it.
As authors we can do our best to look at the sunny side of life to write about how to make things better instead of depressing things that could cause more harm than good. For many authors the bottom line is financial gain, and there’s nothing wrong with that as long as it doesn’t harm anyone with our thinking. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isaiah 52:7. If there was ever a verse in the Bible written for us authors, this would be it.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. Psalm 119:111
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 50:20