Some Neat Encouragement

I haven't had the greatest past week, with my grandpa passing away and then being sick/finding out today I have pink eye as well. God has really used some of my sisters to really encourage me during this time!

Here are a few of the things that have really been really encouraging for me:

"What happened to you this week? Did you have a good week or a bad week? Did it seem like the events in your life were spinning out of control? In order for us to have deep-seated joy, we must realize that God is in control of every area of our lives.In life, things happen to us that we don't like and haven't planned. We can become frightened or angry when things happen that are out of our control. How we respond to these things will determine the state of our heart. Joy can only come as we rest in the sovereignty of God.Paul understood this well. His life was given to presenting the Gospel, discipling believers and planting churches. He effectively did these things all over the world. In the process of doing these things, many opposed him.Writing from prison in Rome, Paul was confident in the Sovereignty of God. If he had his choice in the matter, Paul would much rather have been free and spreading the gospel than being chained up as a prisoner. But in telling the Philippians to rejoice, Paul tells them that his circumstances have turned out to advance the gospel into a sphere that he would never have dreamed of (verses 1:12-14). God used a situation that He didn't like and couldn't control to advance the Gospel.When you understand that God is in control of "what happens to you," it enables you to rejoice in adverse circumstances. Joy is that deep settled confidence that God is in control in every area of my life."