Be Joyful Always

Be Joyful Always - 1Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV)
     A few years ago I bought a pocket mirror with the verse 1 Thessalonians 5:16 written on the front of it. This little token still rides around in the bottom of my purse as a constant reminder to be happy and full of joy. I love this little symbol, because it challenges me to be joyful even when I am looking in a mirror.

     It amazes me how often we, as girls, are drawn to mirrors. As soon as we see our reflections, we begin adjusting our outfits, or taming those stubborn fly-aways. We have developed the habit of evaluating ourselves almost immediately upon seeing a mirror. This is not always a bad thing, especially when we have food in our teeth, but often times we silently begin to pick apart our clothes, body, hair, and overall appearance.
      For many of us there is something about a mirror that seems to highlight our insecurities. The world has a false standard of beauty that we can never meet. Yet, so many of us are striving to reach that standard everyday, and are broken-hearted when we feel that we have failed.
      That is why I love having 1Thessalonians 5:16 on my mirror. It is God’s little reminder to block out the world's standards and be joyful, even when looking in a mirror. This means, be joyful when Satan tries to convince us that we do not measure up. On those days when we aren't feeling particularly happy, or when our insecurities are fighting to take over, the Lord wants us to be JOYFUL because He made us! (Psalm 139). He never intended for us to look in the mirror and pick apart His creation. Instead, He longs for us to rejoice and gain all of our confidence from HIM!

I challenge each of you to Be Joyful Always in HIS creation! Stop striving to measure up with the world's standards, but instead be content and satisfied in God's masterpiece!