I usually try to write a new post every morning, but today's got postponed because after I was more than halfway done with the post, for some reason it just disappeared. I don't know what I hit, but suddenly poof! It was gone, and I was ticked off, so I decided I'd come back to it later. Now it's later, and I will write.
This book that I'm reading, Choose Joy, asks a question: What are the ways you kill joy in yourself?  My answer to that would be that my anxiety tends to kill the joy I have. Sometimes I think too much, and this book also goes on to point out that worrying is a form of rebellion against God, because we're not trusting Him to do what He says. We think that if we just worry enough, everything will turn out okay. Kay Warren writes:"My peace was this:Even if it's not okay, I will be okay. (Note the italics here) I will be okay no matter what happens because God is with me and He will be enough. This is the quiet confidence I've been talking about--confidence that God will help you make it through." (p155-156) She doesn't mention any specific verse after the quote, but this is Biblical. In John 14:27 Jesus promised: "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid." NLT) So this book that I've been reading has helped me see a little more clearly what Jesus was talking about: the peace He gives isn't dependent on the circumstances because He has us in His hand--He won't let go. The peace the world gives is dependent on circumstances, and is flimsy at best. How wonderful it is to know that Jesus has given us the peace that lasts forever--we just have to tap into it.
It's good that we have this joy. Right now I'm watching the new Red Sox third baseman commit an error and am ready to scream at them for trading Youkilis away. I don't care how good his offense is, I think they've downgraded defensively. Plus it felt like they traded my older brother to Chicago when they dealt Youkilis. That's how upset I was. However, my long term joy isn't affected! This too shall pass.