So Good to Me!

I started this blog to tell those of you back at home of all my adventures.  And while I've been updating the portion of my life abroad that details physical travelling, I haven't quite told you all my adventures...that is, the stories that aren't about me gallivanting around Australia. So here's a short update on what has happened to me in the past few weeks, spiritually.

These last two weeks have been tough for a variety of reasons. Honestly, I can't even begin to tell you about the pressures that weighed me down, the fears that shook my confidence, the thoughts on which I kept ruminating...partly because I don't know them all myself, mainly because they were innumerable. These thoughts/beliefs/ideas/lies/fears caused me to withdraw from community, and they became my excuse not to engage with school, work, and people. Coming back from spring break in mid-April, I've been facing one of the hardest trials/attacks this semester, and it not only reminded me of my humanness but how susceptible I have become to my fleshly desires and devilish temptations as well.

But even through this physical/spiritual/emotional battle, my God is a God that saves.  One of the greatest mysteries of living the Christian life is the deep understanding of joy regardless of circumstance.  That joy is not merely an emotional response, but rather something you choose into. That there is joy in suffering. That Paul constantly preached we must actually rejoice in our sufferings.  And that when we choose to have joy, we also develop perseverance, character, and hope. Oh, my God, how true is that verse! I think it's in Romans somewhere.

While the battle is certainly not over, the fact that the "joy of the Lord is my strength" helps me continue to persevere, all because I hope in Jesus as my Savior. And, in the end, He already won the war.

PS. This song has been on repeat these past few weeks, for reasons that'll become obvious as you listen to it. (I had to redirect you to my tumblr, because I can't seem to find this version on YouTube and can't figure out how to upload the mp3 here).


PPS. Have you ever wondered what it is about music that speaks to us in ways that words can't?

PPPS. If you want to know more, just ask me. =]