Rejoice!

Having malaria two times in three months does not make me automatically think “rejoice”.  But it should.

Why?  Because it draws me closer to the Lord.  I found myself seeking Him in ways I would not have otherwise.

Psalm 28:7 says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield;  My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;  Therefore my heart greatly rejoice, And with my song I will praise Him.”

If I believe that, I can and should rejoice.  So that’s what I’m doing.

I’m rejoicing that when Summer and I got malaria this time around, we knew it within hours (we recognized what we were feeling right away).  I’m rejoicing that we only had to take a 10 minute boat ride to be tested and get the necessary medicine instead of a two hour trip all the way to town.  I’m rejoicing that we had the weekend to rest over during the worst part of it.  I’m rejoicing that this time around, it was not nearly as bad.  I’m rejoicing that Joel and the boys were able and willing to take care of us.  So many things to rejoice in if only we look.

So today I encourage you to rejoice.  I don’t know what is going on in your life.  Maybe hard things.  Maybe you can’t seem to find anything to rejoice in.  But don’t worry.  I’ve got ya covered.  You can rejoice in the fact that malaria helped me loose a few pounds!  Just kidding.  Well, I did, but that’s not what you need to rejoice about.  Rejoice that God loves you.  He really does. Have a blessed day friends!