Rejoice During Grief (Part 2 - Apostleship)

 

It has been a whirlwind of activities, cold snaps and death. We lost Pepper, our kitty, on December 27, 22. We aren't exactly sure why or what happened. So, this last week has been a struggle. God has been showing me to rejoice during this time and points to Paul's word in Philippians 4:11, "not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." God has also been revealing that during this circumstance, I am to stay steadfast and "strong and courageous."

In 2 Timothy 4, Paul speaks to his suffering and how "the Lord stood at [his] side and gave [him] strength." Just as Jesus was fully man and fully God, the Bible is both a divine and human book. With Almighty God as its Originator, it is completely true, without error in its original form, and thoroughly trustworthy. 

Feed on God's word during every high and every low! 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." As I have been processing everything of why, how, I am mad at God, my sorry, and I miss her prayers to the Most High God, I was reminded of a scripture on the day of her death while I was walking. It came out of nowhere which usually is God showing me His provisions, "this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it." It felt unnatural to rejoice during this grief but then I was reminded of Peter and his apostle friends that were placed into prison because through "their hands many signs and wonders were done among the people." Because God's plan was bigger than the high priest and his Sadducees, "the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life."

Meanwhile, the high priest and his minions can't find them because the prison is empty. Finally, someone said, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!" Peter and the apostles were brought before the council again and found that Gamaliel's advice to the others was to let them go but not easily. "They had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. So, they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name, and daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."

Their response wasn't of anxiety or fear. Instead, they rejoiced! They rejoiced because "they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." The apostle's joy was not dependent on their pain and grief, their joy came from knowing that they were obeying Christ's command to share the Good News of the Gospel with the world. 

My choice at that moment and now when I'm feeling overwhelmed with grief and anger, is to be a good example by having a mindset of rejoicing. Remembering the good times we had together and thanking God for His grace and mercy to even have Pepper as a pet in our life. What a gift from God. 

In stressful times, our response should be to rejoice even when the world throws daggers and judgment at you because they don't believe or understand the power of God. We know the One who is sovereignly reigning over all the earth. We know the Creator of the sunrise and sunset. We know the Father who cares for us. Therefore, we can rejoice in any and all circumstances. We can say with Paul, "Rejoice in the Lord always."

I am absolutely honored and humbled that I've been "counted worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Joyful Home Welcomes You!