Good News of Great Joy!

From Luke 2:
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 4 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Sometimes we let fear get the best of us.  We let ourselves become so afraid of circumstances we can't control that we lose our joy for living.  I went through something like that last year when Jerry was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer and began a series of chemo treatments.  After the worst was over and I looked back at my life during that time I realized that I had retreated into a shell of a sorts in order to not let the fear rule my life.  But, I also realized that during that time God had given me the peace I needed each day to get through.  I never doubted that He was with me but I let fear rob me of my joy for living. 


As I have said earlier, I have learned to find peace in Him in the midst of bad circumstances.  But I want to be like the shepherds and experience great Joy even when I am afraid!  I have a ways to go.....but with the "Good News of great Joy", anything is possible!  

Prayer:  Father, we are human and we let fear get the best of us sometimes.  Please help us learn to find joy instead of fear.