I Don't Wake Up Angry Anymore

She walked with a noticeable limp when she came in. She did not have use of her left arm. We were introduced and she wasted no time telling me her testimony. She spent a long time bedridden after a very active and successful life due a bad turn in her health. This beautiful, active, successful lady got reduced to a bedridden patient without the ability to communicate. I understand she used to sing and traveled extensively doing so. Doctors did not know if she would ever walk or talk again. She asked God to restore her ability to walk and talk and committed her life to serve Him. I understand she had not been devoted to serving Him before that. And that is exactly what she is doing. She is letting her light shine for Jesus and speaking to others about Him.

Testifying. Encouraging. Praying. Creating videos for people. She commented that God had not completely healed her yet but at least she does not wake up angry anymore. This lady radiated pure joy. Her countenance did not portray anger nor bitterness. I am sure deep down she wishes she had full use of her arm and leg but that is not stopping her from being effective.

There are many trials and setbacks in life. It would be easy to grow bitter, sullen, and lose all joy. The Bible is filled with people who suffered. If anyone had a right to be bitter it would be Joseph. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, falsely accused of sexual assault, thrown into prison and worst of all the haunting dreams he had as a young man about his future success. That must have tortured him as he sat in the prison for two full years.

Joseph did not sulk, give up or lose his joy. In fact the Bible says about him repeatedly that God was with him and he was shown favor in Potiphar's house and in prison. That is a remarkable statement. Sure Joseph must have been frustrated. Wouldn't we? Yet God was with Him.

In the darkest hours, in the hardest times, in the most painful seasons God does not abandon us. He is with us. He is there to provide strength, hope, joy, peace and perseverance. The lady I met has found God with her even in her physical challenges. She mentioned God had not fully healed her yet. I take it she believes to be fully restored. I find myself believing that for her as well. That is not too difficult for God. If the healing never comes God is still with her just like he is with us.

He is with us when our hearts are broken, our reputations are slandered and the slippery slope of trials leaves us on shaky ground for a season. He is with us at the final stages of life. He is with us in victory as well as defeat. He is with us during the nights of weeping as well as the mornings of joy.

In Joseph's life, not only was God with him, but God showed him favor. He excelled in what he had to do. He bloomed where God allowed him to be planted not knowing or understanding God's design behind all of it. I take it Joseph maintained joy through all his circumstances. I am not saying he liked it. I am certain he did not understand any of it. I am saying he did not let all the adversity sour him.

There are plenty of sour people. They wake up every day sour and angry about life. They don't like the things that have happened to them. They even get sour at God. If you know the story of Joseph you know that overnight Joseph went from prison to the palace becoming second in command of all of Egypt. God can do anything He wants. We don't know how it will turn out for us until God has the last say.

It is our job to be faithful where we are and in what we are going through. It's our job to keep trusting God even when we don't understand. It's our job to let the joy of the LORD be our strength. When we do that maybe we too can say, "I don't wake up angry anymore."