He Knew My Joy

The writers of the Psalms did it all the time… they poured their hearts out to God in cries so loud that sometimes we imagine we can almost hear the confusion, frustration, and grief in their words. Sometimes I feel like their words could have come from my own tongue. But those Psalmists never camped out in those emotions. They poured them out and in the next breath they were aiming their heart’s eyes toward praise and thanks and its fruit – a better perspective.

As is typical of a season of victory, or at least moving forward to victory, one day I was filled with joy at being invited to be a part of something that God was doing. On my way to work on one of those joy-filled days a bright blur of red flashed past as a cardinal winged its way across the road in front of my car. It seemed as if its beauty was a gift from God, a love note to me, to say He knew my joy. My heart spilled praise.

But guess what happened the very next day? I crashed. Fear took over and I wanted to hide. Again. So I went to hide in Psalm 43… and to hold onto the gift of the little red bird. These words of the Sons of Korah could have been my very own.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 43:5

And then came the refocusing, “Put your hope in God. Praise Him.” It was like lotion on my heart when I read it. Take every thought captive, Tess. Hold it up to the light of Jesus and His Word. (2 Cor. 10:5) So instead of camping out on the fear and struggle, I curled up in my place of refuge and focused my heart’s eyes on the love note from the Lord of the little red bird. He knows my joy. My hope is in God.

Bible Journaling Supplies used: ESV single-column journaling Bible from Crossway, watercolors, water brushes, Micron Pigma pens 

For Bible journaling information and inspiration see www.illustratedfaith.com.