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Claiming Joy

Honestly, its hard walking onto Bangla Rd, seeing the perversity on that street and claiming joy for your soul.  And for me, its been a personally long struggle of wondering where my joy in life went.  Well, I've found it – and its been where I knew it was the whole time – in the promises and arms of Jesus.  

Last week, we sat before heading out to the bars and I just felt uneasy so we sat and prayed for a while and then decided to head out to a road we hadn't been on before.  As we walked there (about 10 minutes), my team leader, Kirsten, decided to really make me claim joy.  And how? – you may ask: by shouting out that I have Unspeakable Joy no matter what, Unspeakable Joy even when I'm hurting, Unspeakable Joy through trials, etc.  Literally, screaming this out as we walked – what a freeing feeling!  Not being afraid to shout in a mall that my God gives liberally pours unspeakable JOY over me!  We went out that night – and I have never been so filled with joy and love for those people.  I wanted to talk to everyone that would let me, I desired to speak truth, life, and conviction into these women and men that we met.  I desired to share the joy I had inside me – because Jesus CANNOT be contained, He will not be boxed up, He is not a God who can be pushed to the side.  

"Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say rejoice" (Phil. 4:4).  So much of Philippians is filled with exhortations to rejoice – rejoice in Jesus, for no other joy is truly filling or life-changing.  Claim the promise of joy and then live it out!  Just like love is a choice, so is joy – choose to rejoice in Christ and choose to share that joy with others.  

Joy is a beautiful form of encouragement, and we are called to encourage and lift up one another – pour joy into those around you.  Trust me – whoever is on the receiving end…they'll thank you.  Thank you once more for the many prayers I know you are uplifting for my team – we are so thankful for them and it is encouraging to know so many are invested into this trip.  

In Jesus' Joy!
Amy<><

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