Why Floating Anteaters

Can you picture a floating anteater without smiling? Neither can I. I have spent a lot of years as a mental health therapist, helping people get rid of their ANTS (automatic negative thoughts) One of the things I've learned in the process is how important it is to practice joy. It's much easier to practice joy when you have a herd of anteaters on your side. I want to share some of my favorite anteaters and some of what I've learned (and am still learning) about practicing resilient joy and share some of the beautiful images I've seen along the way.

Even Old and Broken Down Can Be Beautiful!

Even Old and Broken Down Can Be Beautiful!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Turning sorrow into joy

What turns our sorrow into joy?

I was doing a Bible study on trying to figure out what it is that causes our sorrow to turn to joy. It's easy to get stuck in sorrow and not be able to find our way out. I wanted to find out how God does what he promises when he said "I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."

Joseph was sorrowful when he found out Mary was pregnant. He thought he would have to divorce her. What turned his sorrow into joy, was finding out it was part of God's plan.

Moses was sorrowful when he was thrown out into the desert. What turned his sorrow into joy, was being called by God to a mission. He was given a job to do.

Joseph was sorrowful when he was thrown into the pit and sold into slavery. What turned his sorrow into joy, was his knowledge that God was in control and even if people meant it for evil, God meant it for good.

They listened to God, they developed the ability to see and trust in God's plan. They knew that today's sorrows would be tomorrow's joy.

Jeremiah 31:13Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

0 comments:

Post a Comment