I've Got That Joy, Joy, Joy...

Joy.

It wasn't something I was familiar with over the years.

Since the age of sixteen, I've been battling the darkness, and often in shabby armor. That's what happens when you don't let God fight for you.

This last year has been a painful rip through my soul. So many things happened in my head and heart, not to mention to our family.

But with the ripping came the mending, and He's healed us in a way that couldn't have possibly happened if we didn't stand face-to-face with all we could possibly lose.

And I think that's the point of suffering. To fully understand what God did for us through His Son on the cross, to understand the pain God's endured with every person He's created who refuses to come to Him, and yet, to know that one day, the ones who truly love Him with their whole hearts will be able to live eternally in His peace.

In His care and comfort.

I guess I just wanted to say if you're suffering, take heart. Because this could be the slightest peek into the "better" you wouldn't have known otherwise.