There is a lot to say for overcoming.
Songs are written about it.
People conquer issues in their lives and claim to have overcome difficult obstacles.
We can overcome through faith.
Jesus Himself says that He overcame the world. (John 16:33)
There is a lot to say for overwhelming.
We can become bogged down by our troubles.
We stress about things in our lives ~ finances, jobs, relationships ~ and we feel overwhelmed.
Sometimes it feels like it's just too much and we can't handle it any longer.
And there's a lot to say about joy.
In a beautiful, intricate way, joy weaves itself through life. Sometimes it's obvious and our hearts catch it like our eyes would immediately be drawn to a flash of orange in a tapestry. Other times we miss it because our focus is pulled to the trials, to the busyness, to the hurts in life. Or because our focal point becomes the material things, idols that mask themselves as pleasures.
Nevertheless, joy presents itself.
There is a song, which today I claimed as my favourite. I often wake in the morning with the tune and lyrics gently pulsing through my head and heart. It is a song called "Overwhelmed", by the band Big Daddy Weave. It talks about delighting in the Lord. Taking our joy from Him. From His beauty,
His love.
This is the song here, because it is just that good.
As I sat reading Psalm 31 last night, a joy verse captured me again.
"I am overcome with joy because of Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul." (Ps. 31:7, NLT)
I claim this verse for myself. I am overcome with joy. Partly because it waits patiently for me, and is ever-present. Mostly because God gives it to me and allows it to pursue me, overcome me.
This has nothing to do with me conquering, doing, and accomplishing anything. It has all to do with joy overcoming me. Everything to do with God and His mercy. His love. His compassion. His power.
Delighting myself in God. Finding my joy in God. Allowing it to overcome, overwhelm, and take me over.
"I am overcome with joy ..."
"I delight myself in You ..."
Beautiful. The kind of overwhelmed that I want to be.
Lesson in the journey ... Joy overcomes and joy overwhelms.
