Seeking joy, even in turmoil

December 18, 2020 | Cindy Argentine

About the author: Cindy Argentine and her husband, Mark, have been members of ZPC for 15 years. They have three children—two young-adult sons and a daughter in high school. Cindy serves as a Deacon, prays with the Intercessory Prayer Team, and directs our High School Choir. She and Mark enjoy being part of a ZPC Home Group.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Romans 12:12

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

During tumultuous times, when my mind is swirling, clear instructions are helpful. Romans 12:12 provides the directions I need right now.

A little while back, Sally in the church office emailed to ask if I’d write an advent devotional on Joy this year. I have enjoyed writing these in other seasons. Plus, as an author, I’d already been thinking about starting a book on “Everyday Joy.” I told Sally I’d be happy to.

That was a couple weeks ago.

Today is December 16, the deadline Sally gave me. And I’m sitting in the waiting room of a medical office, waiting for one of my children to have a fourth surgical procedure in eight days. Days and nights have been a blur of changing bandages, making soft foods, keeping track of antibiotic doses, and responding to 2 am texts from the adjoining room asking for more pain meds. We are still in the thick of this, and it is intensely stressful.

Have I felt joyful? That is certainly not the first word that comes to mind. But I also know that in 1 Thessalonians 5, we are told to “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I’ve been thinking about that a lot these days. I’ve been wondering how on earth I can experience joy in the worst of times. Through prayer, Christian fellowship, and meditation on scripture, I have found tastes of it, and they have been like sips of cool water.

One of the first nights, lying across the foot of my child’s bed in the darkness, my hand resting gently on her leg, this song came to me. It sang in my memory until rest came:

God of wonders, beyond our galaxy,
You are holy, holy.
The universe declares your majesty;
You are holy, holy.
Lord of heaven and earth. 

I prayed the lyrics of that song, thinking about stars shining in the vastness of the universe, and the Holy Spirit gave me a little glimpse of peace, a little glimmer of joy.

The next day, teams of prayer warriors came alongside me. I’ve been privileged to be part of ZPC’s Intercessory Prayer Team for years. This group of eight women gather in person, by phone, or by Zoom every Monday morning to pray over the needs brought to our congregation. They are among the strongest, humblest, most compassionate women I have ever known. And they rallied and began praying for my child, even setting up an hourly prayer schedule for three days—including today. Communicating by text, they send praying hands and pink swirling hearts all day long, adding specific prayers as the Spirit leads them, showing me visually that they are calling on God to bring healing. What an amazing outpouring of Christian love. That kind of support brings pure, quiet, Godly joy.

There have been other moments like those this past week—many specific things to be thankful for. A surgeon who is readily available. A medical office near our home. Friends who have brought groceries, flowers, and meals. Family who have called, texted, and prayed. Close sibling relationships that have deepened. A devoted husband who is walking with me through it all. Each expression of love has brought joy.

Remember our challenge to spend 15 minutes each day with God during advent? I started during Thanksgiving, spending my 15 minutes in various ways. Some mornings I prayed before rising. Other times I read scripture before bed. Still other times, I paused mid-afternoon to read from a book such as Jesus Calling. I always felt glad when I did. In those moments, I experienced a sense of peace, purpose, and calm that is akin to joy.

Several of the Bible passages I read or meditated on have been helpful this past week. They’ve become mottos and ongoing thought-prayers. Remember Psalm 1, from our first week of advent? “Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Those images give help and hope. The next week, I read and memorized Psalm 4. One of its verses is this: “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, cause me to dwell in safety.” Other nights, I worked to recall Psalm 23. Sometimes I focused on its ending—“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Another favorite I’ve recalled this week is 1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all you cares on Him, for He cares for you.” It’s so beautiful to be able to recall words in times of need. I confess I should work harder to memorize more.

This devotional is longer and more personal than I originally planned. As I write, I’m pouring out my heart and focusing my mind as part of my journey to seek joy. I’m sharing my inner thoughts because I understand that faith is ultimately personal for each one of us, and because I know that we can lean into and learn from each other’s experiences. I am trusting Jesus to see my family safely to the other side of this ordeal. I am choosing to believe in God’s promise of love and his assurance of mercy. My child’s health is improving even as I write. May that be true from here forward.

I opened this entry with Romans 12:12. My sister shared it with me today. She relied on it in a time of need almost 20 years ago. I’m claiming it now. With the support of our community of faith, I am being faithful in prayer. I am being forced to be patient in affliction. And I am choosing to be joyful in hope. 

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