Monday, January 18, 2016

Choose Joy: A Moment to Be Embraced

Choose Joy: Finding Hope and Purpose When Life Hurts

Each Monday in January I am sharing a few quotes from Choose Joy, by Sara Frankl and Mary Carver. Sara lived with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a disease that was progressive and caused her to be in constant severe pain. She was completely confined to her home, but through the internet her words reached far beyond her own walls. Sara encouraged me through her example of perseverance and joy in the midst of a very difficult life. Today I am sharing a few quotes from Sara in which she talks about embracing the life God gave her.


The truth is that life is no better or worse than I wanted; it’s just completely and utterly different. The wisdom comes in knowing that it is exactly as it should be.
The truth is that life in my thirties is no better or worse than I wanted; it’s just completely and utterly different. The wisdom comes in knowing that it is exactly as it should be. The joy comes in learning to live it, not despite all I’ve lost, but because of all this life has brought to me. 
– Sara Frankl, Choose Joy, page 68


I see every moment of my life now, both the difficult and the joyful, as a moment to be embraced. Because I know that God is in the middle of all of them.
So I’ve changed my thinking—and it changed my heart. Just as much as I would embrace a miracle of healing with open arms, I choose to embrace all that comes into my life the same way. I’ve learned to embrace the pain. Embrace the solitude. Embrace the constantly changing plan of my day as my pain and energy levels fluctuate… 
I see every moment of my life now, both the difficult and the joyful, as a moment to be embraced. Because I know that God is in the middle of all of them. He is in the center of my storms and my blessings. He sees it all with eyes that know and understand and foresee the purpose of my situation. And I want what He wants. 
So I no longer adapt, compromise, or adjust. I surrender. I simply trust that whatever is in front of me at any given moment, He is in the center of it. And there’s no place I’d rather be. 
– Sara Frankl, Choose Joy, pages 96-97


He is good. All the time.
He knows my past, present, and future. He is surprised by nothing. He is with me, never leaves me even when I feel alone, and holds me up even when I think I am standing on my own two feet. He is good. All the time. I am going to ask Him to help me see that, and I will praise Him through all of it. 
– Sara Frankl, Choose Joy, page 108


You can learn more about Choose Joy here: thechoosejoybook.com.

Is your life different than you expected or wanted? How are you embracing the life God has given you? How are you praising Him through all of it?

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