Recently, I have been told that many of the devotionals I have been writing lately feel a little deep, depressing, or overwhelming to read. If you know me personally, you know that when I first started writing, it was more of a form of therapy for me than a devotional or encouragement for others. Over the years, one of the most common responses people have given me after reading what I share is that they are thankful it is my life and not theirs. Everything I share is a concise, and sometimes very honest reflection of my daily life and the struggles I endure. Today, however, I feel led by the Holy Spirit to bring something a little lighter and more encouraging, because honestly, I need that encouragement just as much as anyone else. According to the story of Pollyanna, published in 1913, there are over 800 happy verses in the Bible. I’m not sure if that is actually true, but it is certainly an encouraging thought. The verse I regularly pray lately is *Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.* One definition of the joy of the Lord is “the gladness of heart that comes from knowing God.” Lately, it seems the world is consumed with doom and gloom, death and destruction, hostility and violence, lies and politics. The busyness of life is stealing the joy of the Lord from so many people. Even as believers, we can become so distracted by what we feel we need to accomplish here on earth that we forget the joy of our salvation, well at least I do at times. Sometimes I feel like posting a sign that says, “Temporarily closed for spiritual maintenance” just to be able to seek Him more intentionally. Yet even in the midst of the chaos, God still gives me reminders that He has not abandoned me. Sometimes it is found in a sunrise, a conversation with a friend, a moment of unexpected laughter, or simply the quiet peace that comes when I finally slow down long enough to listen for His voice. Sometimes I spend so much time searching for God in the extraordinary that I overlook the gentle ways He is already speaking through everyday moments and especially through His word, when I take the time to read it. The smallest reminders of His presence can become anchors for our hearts when life feels overwhelming. Maybe today you are carrying burdens no one else can see, silently fighting battles that have left your heart exhausted. Perhaps you have been wondering if God still sees you in the middle of your struggle or if the weight you carry will ever become lighter. I want to remind you that you are not alone in those feelings, and the same God who has faithfully carried me will faithfully carry you as well. I am learning that joy is not the absence of hardship, but the presence of Christ in the midst of it. Real joy is not pretending everything is okay; it is trusting that God is still good even when life is not. When we keep our eyes fixed on Him instead of our circumstances, He gives us strength to endure what we never could on our own. The enemy works overtime to keep our minds focused on fear, disappointment, and exhaustion because he knows that a believer filled with the joy of the Lord is strengthened for any battle set before them. There are days when my heart feels weary and my mind feels overwhelmed, yet God faithfully carries me through every valley and storm. I have come to understand that “fruit” is grown in the valleys and not on the mountaintops. His mercies truly are new every morning, and His grace has met me in places where I thought I would surely fall apart. I am confident that if we pause for just a moment and remember all God has already brought us through, we will realize that His faithfulness has never once failed us. My prayer for myself and for everyone reading this comes from *Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope.* As I reflect on all God has carried me through, I am encouraged by the words of Charles Spurgeon “I have looked back to times of trial with a kind of longing, not to have them return, but to feel the strength of God as I have felt it then, to feel the power of faith as I have felt it then, to hang upon God’s powerful arm as I hung upon it then, and to see God at work as I saw Him then.” Friends, today may we be filled with the joy of the Lord and the peace that comes through the power of the Holy Spirit. May we “abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises” no matter what comes our way. I pray the Lord reminds each and every one of us that our circumstances do not define His goodness or His love for us and may we encourage one another, pray for one another, and walk together in the good times and bad with compassion as the body of Christ. May every weary soul reading this today be refreshed by His presence, strengthened by His promises, and overwhelmed by the unshakable hope found only in Him. I pray these things in Jesus’ precious and powerful name, Amen.

My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.