Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Trading my Sorrows


image courtesy of photobucket.com

I'm not much for happy, shiny Christian songs. Having said that, there's something about Trading My Sorrows that helps me remember this passage from 2 Corinthians 4:8-12

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you."






I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

Chorus:
And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
And his joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning


***

I choose Joy

Yesterday I chose fear of the unknown
Today I choose trust
Yesterday I chose regret
Today I choose acceptance of a bigger plan
Yesterday I chose to cling to selfish love
Today I choose Love (big "L")
Yesterday I chose to wallow in what could be
Today I choose whatever God's will is for my life
Yesterday I chose sorrow
Today I choose Joy
Over fear, over doubt, over worry, over pain...
Today I chose Joy
And am praying that you choose Joy as well.


This post is part of the One Word Blog Carnival: Joy hosted by Bridget Chumbley over at One Word at a Time. You should check it out. And tell her I said hey!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just mentioned on Jason's blog, that what he wrote made me think of this song. Perfect choice when talking about Joy.

Great post, Kathy.

Glynn said...

Joy is a choice. Even when it happens on its own, or comes from God, we can choose to disregard it.

~*Michelle*~ said...

This hit the spot, thank you Kathy!

Today, I am choosing Joy.

Candy said...

The songs that move me to tears the most are the ones I love the best. This is one of those songs. Yes, His joy always comes in the morning. Never fails, but the choice must be ours.

Michelle DeRusha said...

That song is new to me -- I love it! I'm listening to it this morning, watching the sun cast golden over my backyard. Joy!

I've got to get that song on my ipod!

Louise Gallagher said...

No matter what life serves up, Joy always brings us closer to God, to the Divine essence of our being at one with the One.

What a life-giving choice you have made.

Thank you!

Cassandra Frear said...

Trading My Sorrows is a great song for being in the middle of hard things!

(Guess how I know)

Heather Sunseri said...

Love that song. I'm choosing joy today!

Doug Spurling said...

I choose joy...
I love this - thank you.

Helen said...

First time I ever heard that song. Wow. I like it.

I love your poem, though. THAT moved me.

Maureen said...

There is joy found in your words today.

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

We sing that song often in church. It's a good one.

And your poem? Thumbs-up....

jasonS said...

This song (and others) mean so much more when you experience the crushing difficulties and disappointments. Choosing joy in those times is a powerful thing. Thanks Kat.

Unknown said...

I'm glad we can trade our sorrows...to someone who always takes them! Thanks for sharing!

Blessings,
Jay

Billy Coffey said...

One of my favorite songs. Loved the poem, too. Well done, Kathy!

Anonymous said...

Haven't heard that song in a while but definitely something I needed to hear today! Happiness is based on what happens to us. When things are going good, we are happy but joy is so much more than mere happiness. Joy is something we can choose in times of hardship & sadness.

Sandra Heska King said...

Love this song. Love it.

Anonymous said...

LOVE your poem.

kirsten said...

I made a conscious decision around Christmastime to Choose Joy. Sometimes, all I can do is repeat the phrase under my breath until I find I am able to find the Joy.

I love your posts, and this is no exception!

Tricia said...

We sang that at church this past Sunday. There is something about this song that draws me to Jesus every time I hear it. Thank you. :)

caryjo said...

The II Cor. piece is one of my favorites. Always an encouragement. And the rest? A good reminder.

Jake said...

I'm not much for happy, shiny Christian songs.

One more reason why we're friends. I'm not about those either. I like them when they're honest and sincere, but I don't think we've hit that too well, now, have we?