Life Sucks

I am not saying this because I am in need. I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances. I know how to survive in tight situations, and I know how to enjoy having plenty. In fact, I have learned how to face any circumstances: fed or hungry, with or without. I can be content in any and every situation through the Anointed One who is my power and strength. 
— Philippians 4:11-13 (VOICE) ​

Life sucks. I think I’ve said this before, but it deserves reiterating: life sucks. Heck, just for fun let’s do it one more time: life sucks!  
 
It may seem like I’m complaining, but I’m really not, bear with me I have a point to make. This past year has really, truly, unequivocally sucked. There was a time in May when I spent five days avoiding all people and I didn’t leave my house, I barely left my room. The constant upheaval of everything around me was devastating to me and my joy. I let my circumstances (life suckage) affect my joy. Again this deserves repeating: I, Melody Paris, let my temporary circumstances affect my eternal joy. This was not the first time and probably not the last. I hope that I can learn a truly valuable and lifelong lesson from this experience; that my circumstances are temporary, my relationship with God, the peace that He brings, the joy that I received from Him, the love that I experience in my relationship with Him are all eternal and with me through it all. God is fully aware of my circumstances, He knows more about the shit surrounding me than I will ever know. He is walking with me, He is clothing me in strength, dignity and wisdom to navigate these times. The question then becomes for me, am I going to learn from my past, am I going to respond to His gifts, am I going to walk with Him or am I gonna have to be dragged along? Time will tell. I am a stubborn person and sometimes lessons have to be beat into my brain. But, I hope. I have hope. Yep, let’s do it again: I have hope! You know what, one more time for good, strong emphasis: I HAVE HOPE!! If Paul could sing praises and continue to teach and convert while he was chained in a prison, I can deal with my worldly crap and I can do it by keeping focused on God and making Him my first priority. He is my power, the Almighty, the Anointed, Creator, Guide, Teacher, Father, King, Lover of my soul, He is my strength.

Who is He to you? When life seems to be dumping on you, does it affect your joy? Do you let societal pressures and the thoughts of others invade your expectations of yourself? When it comes to your peace and joy, where does that come from and how do you maintain it? I have a feeling You do not have the answers to all these questions, but hopefully you starting to think about them, ask them and discuss them with God. ​