Rejoice In The Lord Always

I am a huge fan of Israel and New Breed. I have every CD except the first one the DVD's. I even brought the book. All items are phenomenal! But this morning i actually "got" what they sing about. You see, the thing I love about this group is that they sing pure gospel, The Word of God. Not sugar coated, not something to make you feel good, but just truth.

As usual, in the morning I blast my music, sing loudly and do my best to get Ray involved as I drive him to school half asleep and it hit me... REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS, AGAIN I SAY, AGAIN I SAY REJOICE!

That statement is more so a command. Of all the times I've listened to the CD, I've missed that. I haven't rejoiced in the Lord. You know what I've done? I've labored tiredly over situations I have no control over. I've cried myself to sleep so hard at nights that I wake up looking like someone punched me in the face. I've worried myself crazy to the point where I couldn't go to work because I knew I wouldn't focus. I've picked arguments with my husband, mistreated him and Ray. Shut myself away from people at times, not answered the phone, not when to church, not got into my Word. All because i was stressed!!!!!!! If I had let that go on a little longer I'm quite sure I would have sunk into some kind of depressive state.

But God choose this morning to get my attention. He choose that song to speak to my heart (out of the millions of times I've listened to it). REJOICE IN THE LORD! It's today I realized I need to Rejoice in the Lord. Not in my problems and situations I can't change. But focus on a God who is in control and knows what's best for me.

I'm reminded of Peter in Matthew 14. Around verse 29, Jesus tells him to come into the water. At first he's walking on water, but once he starts to look around him and see the wind, he becomes afraid and begins to sink. "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?", Jesus says as He extends His hand to catch him. Peter was okay once he was focused on God, but it's when we look around us and that's what I'm guilty of: looking around me.

I learned my lesson! Does it mean I'll stop crying? NO! And I may even still drive myself crazy with my thoughts, but I'm learning to look up. Look up to the God that has it all under control and when nothing in my sight seems to look good, I can rejoice in my God who is good.

He loves me. That's why I can rejoice in Him.
He protects me. That's why I can rejoice in Him.
He will take care of my every need. That's why I can rejoice in Him.
And through all thatIi experience on a day to day basis, He sustains me. And that is why I can and WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS! (and just in case I forget His word reminds me) AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE!

Thank you God for Israel and New Breed's obedience to You!