I heard the words to a song one morning this week “All joy, no stress.” I didn’t even know the artist’s name, but those words clung to me like a dryer sheet on a dry-fit shirt. I couldn’t get the prior day’s mistake — or oversight — off my mind. I went to bed worried and woke up the same way.
My friends and I recorded a Facebook live video to tell people about my book’s progress. Not wanting to stuff myself in jeans, I put on my most comfortable skirt. We positioned the camera so people could only view our waist up. Or so we thought.
I didn’t even think about my skirt since it wasn’t in the camera screen. To my horror and dismay, my skirt — and top of my legs were clearly “on screen.” How could I have let that happen? In all my years of training, I should have known better.
Here I was, sharing what God had done in my life while showing way too much leg! My friends tried to encourage me, saying it wasn’t that bad and that no one would notice. (Thank God for friends!) But I wasn’t convinced.
The true test? My mom. Of course, she noticed. It still makes me shudder. I want to crawl in a hole.
Joy in all circumstances
So, the song lyrics seemed to mock me that morning. After all, my book focuses on having joy in all circumstances. I, however, was far from “All joy. No stress.”
That’s just like God, isn’t it? I had anxiety in droves. He sent me a song to release me from that worry.
I just had to grab hold of that joy, even when I wanted to stay in that hole and pretend the embarrassing moment didn’t happen.
What about you? Have you been there? Has God spoken to you through a song? A scripture? Or through a friend’s voice of reason?
We can find joy through any circumstance. Even when our own weakness, neglect or oversight is to blame.
I’ve got to tell you. I had a hard time keeping my anxiety from ruining my day. That would have been truly a waste. My stress served no purpose. I had to give it to the Lord.
All joy. No stress. Let’s try to live that way today. Let’s not waste the day by allowing our anxiety to get the better of us.
