When Small Things Disintegrate
It’s so easy… and dangerous… for me to be wise in my own eyes.
This is how I think: if I were healthy and not tired, I’d be more holy. If so-and-so treated me with more consideration, I wouldn’t get irritated. If God made everything go exactly the way I want it to, I’d be such a pleasant person!
I might be… but why?
“Selfish joy is utterly dependent on things continuing to go our way, so when something upsets the applecart on which our joy is relying, we… are plunged into anger or anxiety or depression.” (Lydia Brownback, Joy)
When I give thanks for small things, it’s not because they’re the source of my joy. If I forget that, I fall apart when small things disintegrate.
If I look at the little blessings the right way, I can thank Him, yet rest secure because He is my joy. I’m learning…
.
.
#390-400 of 1,000 gifts
the sweet privilege of spending time in the Word
that feeling of being unsettled when my heart is out of sync with His
grace for my critical heart
knowing that I’ve changed, even when others see the same old me
rest for my heart when my body is tired
a candle burning on Sunday afternoon
my husband studying
quiet music on Pandora
blue, blue Florida sky
being incredibly encouraged/inspired/challenged by a sister in Christ
being completely understood by my Father in heaven
Great quote! Is that from The Disciplines of Grace? That’s on my “someday” reading list. 
Thanks for commenting!
Oh, I learn so much from you! You ARE growing and learning and seeking our Father’s wisdom, and it teaches me much! Thank you so much, dear sister!!
Selfish joy, now that’s something I know I’ve been trapped by more than once! I love it when you share what you’re learning, girl. It’s so inspiring!
Oh I love this! eeeeep, arrow to the heart! I was so crabby when the internet wouldn’t work and yuck! Why oh why would such a little thing be such a joy stealer for me… hhhmmmmmmm, I think you just put it into words!
Yes and YES…you have written something that has been on my heart recently!
Actually, I read it quoted in an e-mail. It’s from an essay called “The Discomfort of the Justified Life” in the book Justified: Essays on the Doctrine of Justification. I haven’t read The Disciplines of Grace yet, but am looking forward to reading my first Jerry Bridges this year! Have a good day:).
PS. I’ll add that book to my “someday” reading list as well .
Yes, I am the 3rd Challies sister. Glad you stopped by!
Anna, thanks for stopping by my blog from Kat’s place. I LOVE I2A
I just had to comment about these gifts you listed:
the sweet privilege of spending time in the Word
that feeling of being unsettled when my heart is out of sync with His
grace for my critical heart
knowing that I’ve changed, even when others see the same old me
I join you in gratitude for these!!!
Oh, that Brownback quote is exactly what I needed to read today! Lovely list, Anna.
Dear Anna,
As usual, I am always uplifted by your posts! I love that Lydia Brownback quote and when you spoke of being “wise in our own eyes”…that really resonated with me because I have been thinking about that exact verse today!
Thanks for reminding us also all the time of how much there is to thank God for each and every day in our lives! Thankfulness to God, truly seeing all He has done for us, does the heart good like nothing else!
Hi Anna, what a lovely list. I love “being completely understood by my Father in heaven.” Thank you for sharing your thoughts; they are beautiful. Thanks, too, for stopping by my blog. Nice to meet you.
Hey Anna! Your post reminded me of something I read recently: “God wants us to find our primary joy in our objectively declared justification, not in our subjectively perceived sanctification” – Jerry Bridges. Very true- and necessary to be reminded of!
Thanks for writing! Love reading!