Even though...

" Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD!  I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign LORD is my strength!  He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights."  Habakkuk 3:17-19

There are always difficult things we go through in life.  There's always an illness, a disappointment, a frustration, a struggle, a time of wandering....you get the idea.  We all, at some point, go through times that are difficult.  But how many of us, when we go through these times, can say like Habakkuk, "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD!"

Rejoicing in the LORD doesn't mean that we don't have difficult times.  It doesn't mean that difficult things don't bother us.  Read the rest of Habakkuk and you'll see that the difficult times bothered Habakkuk.  But, he didn't give in to the difficulty.  He didn't give in to the circumstances and give up.  Instead, even though there were difficult times, he rejoiced in the LORD.  We can always rejoice in the LORD.  Even when something is difficult.  We can rejoice in the LORD through anything and everything because He is the God of our salvation.  He is our strength.  And, He helps us to stand, even though it is hard.

So what is your even though...?  Even though we struggle with illness...  Even though things are so busy that there is little time to do it all...  Even though my job may be stressful...  Even though I would rather be on the mission field but can't get there right now...  Even though I want a baby but haven't been able to have one...  Even though the kids I teach can be very unruly...  Even though it's hard for me to talk to people...  Even though...  Fill in the blank.

Remember, no matter what your even though is, you can rejoice in the LORD.  He is bigger than your even though.  He is bigger than any circumstance.  He is more powerful than anything that may come against you.  When those difficulties rear their ugly heads and try to discourage you and drag you down, remember the LORD.  Remember what He has done for you.  And choose to rejoice.  Rejoice in Him!  Rejoice in all that He has done for you!  Rejoice in who He is!

I know that is not always easy to do.  All too often, I give in to the even thoughs.  But not today.  Today, I choose to rejoice in the LORD!  No matter what struggles there may be in my life, the LORD is bigger!  And I will rejoice in Him!

Will you join me?