Re-Focus On Joy

On July 6, I wrote in this blog, "It has been a challenge to find joy over the last several days as back pain has flared and digestive issues have taken a lot of my attention."  Today, as long as I am very careful, my back pain is much less, although it sometimes flares up for no apparent reason.  My digestive issues continue, with only short respites when I fast and take OTC medication.

I am less inclined to pay attention to the problems of others (real or fictional) as they tend to contribute to a sense of discouragement.  Not only can the evening news be distressing; even a "Masterpiece Classic" on PBS can be gloomy.

Sometimes words of encouragement do lift my spirits, however, and I have read and re-read these words from Isaiah 55 over the past week:

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.