Hello, and welcome back!
I have been beyond thrilled to begin this amazing journey God has lead me to. With a past dealing with mental illness and struggles, the idea of having overwhelming joy (spoken about in the bible) was hard to imagine. It was so hard when I was not a Christ follower to find joy in my life. No matter what I did to run farther away from God, it never filled my heart. I thought I would escape that empty feeling by planning my future in insane detail so I felt in control.
So I wrote my 4 year high school plan, found a college, figured out my degree, set up internships for everything in the law enforcement career, and figured if I planned it, it would happen, and it would bring me joy.
But it didn’t.
I didn’t feel lead to it the more I got into it, and so I began to open my eyes to the idea that God had a plan for me. I was still a new Christian at the time, but I decided that I needed to pray a prayer of submission.
“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” John 16:24
Most people my age can sympathize with the immense pressure we feel when others ask us what we will do when we grow up, or what our plans are. Up until a week ago, I didn’t know what to say, I felt lost, I prayed to God with a deep sense of confusion and fear for the future. He has answered my prayer, and given me the gift of true joy that comes from a deeper place than happiness.
I’ve been a happy person most my life but it came from the superficial things in my life. The joy that Jesus promises is so much deeper and greater. It’s not like the happiness you feel when you eat a delicious dessert, it’s a deep feeling of peace and undeniable joy. Where you could jump up and down, smile until it hurts, and it feels like you can conquer the world.
That comes from Jesus.
He hears your prayers, and knows your desires of your heart. He knew I wanted to serve, travel, commit myself to him, and so he blessed me with the desires of my heart.
And he can do it for you too. Pray to him. Talk to him. Write it down if you have to but be honest with God and tell him ” God, I want to pursue the life you have in store, so please make a way for your plans to unfold in my life. Take away all the walls I have put between my life and your plans for my life, and take control”
When you give up the sole burden of figuring out your future to Jesus, he will bring you joy as he has brought me joy.
I am loving this new platform to share my journey with Jesus and the WR! If you would please, pray for me as I embark on this new adventure, and if you can please donate to my cause! There is a button on the menu of my blog!
Lots of Love,
Chloe Morales
So awesome you found the REAL DEAL when it comes to joy, Chloe! There’s a world out there that desperately needs what you have. GO GIT ‘UM GIRLIE! : )