The past few weeks have been some very tough ones for me.  Things gone out of control with a domino effect... one bad scene overlapping into another.  When you make a bad choice or wrong decision, most of us expect to "get what we deserve."  But when you have a period where "life has gone wrong" for no reason that you can think of, this fact simply compounds your frustration.

First thing this morning, I experienced joy ... nothing had changed in my life.  The bad had not gone away, the needs had not been met, the light at the end of the tunnel has not been turned on!  In fact, I felt so good I asked the Lord why am I able to smile in spite of facing what appears to be a difficult test.

 The Holy Spirit directed me to read  II Corinthians 1:12... For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience....  Softly the Holy Spirit spoke within me, "You are rejoicing because your conscience is clear!  Where people operated to draw hatred and anger from within you, you have shown love and kindness.  When the fear of the unknown threatened to overwhelm you, you paddled in faith instead of fear.  While the opportunity to fuss and cuss was right in your palms, you decided to lift up hands towards heaven and cast your cares upon the Lord instead of casting a bad attitude and proud resistance to those who simply "know not what they do."  Having a clear conscience is the results of asking for God to create in my a clean heart... filled with humility to go through in the name of Jesus Christ.  A clear conscience usually is realized after one decides to take a stand for what you know is right and just.  The fiery darts don't do as much damage when on the inside we have obeyed God rather than man.

Rejoicing in the middle of trials and tribulation is the testimony that a believer has matured. Going through the fire and being able to smile while yet in the flames.... is what true rejoicing is. Feeling peace in the middle of the storm is a great feeling that one can remember for a long time... it build you up for the next test with confidence that "I know my Redeemer liveth."  I only wish I had learned this much sooner in life but better late than never.

 Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice!

 I still have joy, I still have Joy!

After all the things I been through, I still have joy!