STAY IN JOY NO MATTER WHAT (3)

My mum narrated to us how she took a fast right after she lost her sight. She sought the face of the Lord regarding the situation. The Lord gave her a word:

James 1:2-3 NKJV
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Did things change overnight? No! The word gave strength, but the process was still not boycotted. She had to resign from her lecturing job and began to do small things. She started with a few cups of flour. She baked homemade bread for sale. The rest is history.

She has moved in the strength of the verse for the past 28 years. Staying in joy transformed her life. Staying in joy was the fuel she needed for that tough season.

If you lose your joy, things will go really bad. There was a farmer in the Prophecy of Joel who was caught in that trap:

Joel 1:12 KJV
[12] The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered:

Why did all that happen? There is an answer in that verse also:

“because joy is withered away from the sons of men”

If you lose your joy, things get worse!

Another farmer in the Prophecy of Habbakuk had a similar crisis.

Habakkuk 3:17 KJV
[17] Although the fig tree shall not blossom, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labour of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no meat; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls:

But this farmer refused to lose his joy.

Habakkuk 3:18 KJV
[18] Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

What was the result?

He drew strength.
He returned to walk upon high places.

Habakkuk 3:19 KJV
[19] The LORD God is my strength, And he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, And he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

A crisis is a turning point- things can get worse or get better. It depends on the kind of farmer you choose to be.

This season, what kind of farmer will you be? Joel Farmer or Habakkuk Farmer?