Overjoyed or Overwhelmed...in this life!!!

Christmas is coming and some of us are feeling the busyness that comes with preparing for this celebration. We're shopping, decorating, baking, hostessing, and trying to manage everything else in our lives. Other possibilities may be a reality at this time such as not enough money to buy gifts, husband just lost his job, a loved one is sick or it may be the first Christmas without a loved one.

So, how do we keep a joyful perspective at this time of year even with circumstances that are not of our choosing?

1Peter 4:12-13 - "Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

To rejoice means we wear the attitude of joy on our countenances and engage in the action of joy.

I'm going to choose to be overjoyed because of Christ and his gift to me and not be overwhelmed with all the hard times and bad news that comes my way in this Life! I have so much to be thankful for and I'm going to focus on that and hopefully God's glory will shine in and through me!!