Fighting Back with JOY

Margaret Feinberg looks like a tiny woman with a HUGE amount of spunk, energy, and zeal. I have seen her at Catalyst Conference once before. She gave away her book then called "Scouting the Divine". I like how she thinks about things.

In July of 2013 she was diagnosed with cancer. She was already a speaker, author, Bible teacher, living for God, but that diagnosis changed her life. 

Her new book and new way of living is "Fight Back with Joy". I think it's a revolutionary idea!!

God has given us fruits of the spirit. Galatians 5:22 lists them, "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness."

As a Christ follower, you already have the Holy Spirit. Those are the fruits of the Spirit. They are already inside of you... it's just a matter of digging down deep sometimes to remember them.

Margaret said, "Sometimes in life you pick your battles, sometimes, they pick you." She continued that we should "Live out of joy. Rejoice when it makes NO SENSE." 

Philippians 4:4 tells us to rejoice in the Lord always.

I love this part... Margaret said, "You proclaim to the darkness that it WILL NOT WIN!"

A 2nd tactic that Feinberg says we should use is to "remain suspicious that God is up to something good."

"Sometimes, it's easy to see things in Scripture, but not so much in life. Abuse is never to be labeled good, cancer is NOT a gift. There are gifts to be found out of it though. When we look for the wonder of God's goodness, you WILL find it!!"

Life is hard. I say that a lot.

Living for God doesn't get you a "get out of trouble" free card. Bad things still happen to good people every day. I think Margaret Feinberg is a proof of that. However, fighting back with joy will get you through each day.

Look for the positive. Look for the good in each day. It's there. Stop focusing on the negative. It's there too..but when all you see is the negative or bad, that's all you live out of.

Focusing on the joy, will help you not notice the bad as much.

I'm going to fight back with joy... are you?

God bless you today and always.