"So we do not lose heart.
Though our outer self is wasting away,
our inner self is being renewed day by day."
(2 Corinthians 4:16)
To live each day with purpose, to seek God's plan for our lives, and to allow ourselves to be wrapped in His grace, is to find a fullness of life like no other. To live in union with Christ and to share Him with others is an intricate part of who we were created to be. Pope Francis has said, “Proclaiming Christ means showing that to believe in and to follow him is not only something right and true, but also something beautiful, capable of filling life with new splendor and profound joy, even in the midst of difficulties.” In short, it's a beautiful life.
To find joy "even in the midst of difficulties" is beyond human strength, it requires the grace of God. Pope Francis has also said a Christian "must never look like someone who has just come back from a funeral!" We are called to joy. We must reclaim joy. We must choose joy.
The truly beautiful woman shares the joy of Christ with those she encounters. She finds in Christ her ever-flowing source of joy, comfort, and peace. She brings the good news of the Gospel with her in her smile, tenderness, and love. She is in tune with the Holy Spirit, so to see those around her who are in need of hope, in need of a little joy.
We must seek to be renewed day by day as our Scripture says, to not lose heart, but to find our joy in the Lord. Each day brings its own challenges. The truly beautiful woman rises to those challenges with trust that the weakness of Lord is stronger than her greatest strength, and he will provide the grace she needs to conquer in love. When we seek His will each day and find joy in doing his will, our lives will be more beautiful than we could ever imagine.
Today's Challenge:
When you encounter a difficulty today, give it over to the Lord and commit to choosing joy in the midst of it.
Today's Prayer:
Heavenly Father, in you is unending joy. Help me to live so deeply rooted in you even in the midst of suffering I may choose joy. I long to live in you and share you with others, make my life truly beautiful. Help me to live your plan for me, and draw others closer to your heart as I do. I love you, Lord. Amen.
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