by Gabby Rousse Gregory | Apr 27, 2021 | Life Advice, Testimonies
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:17-19)
How often do we find ourselves searching for joy in the wrong places? Throughout growing up, I have fallen short many of times by doing this exact thing – being dependent on what the world says joy is versus choosing God’s joy. Whether that be searching for joy in how well my life may be going currently, financial stability, social media presence, being in a relationship or married, hoping every single person likes/approves of me…I have been there, sister!
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
We are consumed in a culture right now where the world dictates if you are HAPPY, that is all that matters in life! Whatever makes you get to that place of being content in who you are and what you want to do, do it. That is almost the “trend” that is being spoken on, and that mindset is so very misleading. John 16:33 states,
“I have told you these things, so that IN ME you may have peace. In this world, you WILL have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
We see here in John 16 that we will face times of tribulation, trouble, and suffering. But take heart, we have a Savior!
I feel as though people correlate the words happiness and joy together. Almost like we put them in the same category, but oh wow.., how polar opposite these actually are sister! Let’s break down the two words together: Happiness and Joy.
One definition of happiness is “Conditioned by and dependent upon what is ‘happening to me.’” This relates back to feelings of if people are treating you well, if things in life are going good, then I’m happy! This happiness is externally triggered, fleeting, and is based on emotions. This happiness flees in times of suffering.
Now, when we look towards the definition of joy and what defines it we have, “a quality of living that is not constrained by circumstances.” This joy is consistent/lasting. It is not dependent on Earthly circumstances. It meets our deepest needs. It is the peaceful assurance that God is in control of my life. This joy strengthens in times of suffering.
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)
People. I have looked to people and have placed expectations on other to make me feel happy, seen, heard and appreciated. Possessions. I have allowed possessions to bring me a sense of joy in my life such as buying new shoes/clothes, makeup, a house, car, makeup, etc. Finances. I have let earthly money stress me out at times! You know what these all have in common? They will never be enough. When we choose to receive God’s joy, we are choosing nourishment for our soul to grow closer to Him. God is so gracious. He is always working for your good, sister. His peace is a promise, and his joy is readily available.
So, sweet sister, let us pursue God’s joy over Earthly happiness! I want to leave you with this scripture from Romans 15:13,
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
You are loved!
Gabby Rousse Gregory is a lover of Jesus, people, her hubby, and coffee! Gabby’s prayer is to help others grow into the woman that God has uniquely created them to be through fashion & faith?
Follow Gabby on Instagram @gabbyrousse
by Gabby Rousse Gregory | Sep 15, 2020 | Life Advice |
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10
Lately when I have been praying, I have noticed images of princesses. And yes, I’m talking about full-on Disney princesses! How many of us have seen the live-action films of the Disney movies? Each time I see a trailer for a live-action film, my childhood memory races back in time and sparks the childlike joy in my heart again. I can hardly wait for the movie to hit the theaters and when it does you better believe I’ll be there with a coke and popcorn in hand!
Recently, there have been multiple releases of princess movies and the remaking of the movies in “human” form such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast. Every time I watch one of these princess movies, it never fails y’all, I end up in a PUDDLE of tears from beginning to end. Also end up in embarrassment because people look at me like I am crazy. BUT, after the first time I found myself in tears from one of these princess movies, I truly asked myself, “Gabby, why are you this emotional about a Disney film that you have watched COUNTLESS times growing up? The question stuck in my mind for days.
In these movies, we see the young, beautiful girl that usually faces A LOT of challenges and then ends up meeting the love of her life, dancing away into happily ever after. We see the beauty she posses, the ability to love, and her heart that wants to be noticed and rescued by the prince.
That is when it hit me. These movies reminded me of the deepest longing in my heart – to be fully loved, known, and seen. The longing in my heart that no human flesh could ever fill. Have you ever heard of “God-sized holes” in our hearts? There is a place in your heart, sweet sister, a place in your soul, that nothing can fill except for the God. At our inner-most being, we long for Him and for His affection.
Psalm 23:1-6, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Have you ever searched for something before that when you found what you were looking for you say to yourself, “Oh!! It was there the whole time!” I cannot tell you how many times I have had my phone in my hand, walking around my house and searching left and right to find it! It is only until I come to my senses and realize that my phone was in my hand the whole time. I believe that we can do that with God as well, sister.
I used to search for acceptance in all the wrong places. I would look to flesh to tell me my worth. I would look to the “popular” group of girls to validate my status in school. I would restrict and binge on food in order to see a number on a scale that told me I looked good. I was looking for my Happily Ever After everywhere. What I failed to realize however was that God was with me that entire time. He never left my side. I was seeking in the wrong places trying to find the answer, but the answer was not there. I already HAD the answer in the palm of my hand, I just had to realize that it was there and that THAT was what I was searching for the entire time. My Happily Ever After is not in the far-off distance over the untouchable horizon. My Happily Ever After is here and now because Christ rescued me.
“You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.” Isaiah 62:3
How beautiful. How assuring. How sweet is it to know that we are crowned by the One True King? Take a moment to take that in, sister.
You are chosen.
You are enough.
You are clothed in righteousness.
You are crowned in beauty.
You are royalty.
Let’s think about it though- Jesus is King. We are daughters of THE King. Therefore, that makes us royalty, or in other words, a princess. You see sister, that longing in our heart for acceptance and to be loved is not placed there by coincidence. The desires of our heart are not to be taken lightly because Christ has carefully positioned them there. He created us with the desire for us to long after him. To seek His face. To lean not on our own understanding, but in all things, trust Him.
He is the answer to our Happily Ever After. We do not need to search in areas that bring temporary fixes anymore. We do not need to hope that someone will notice us one day. We do not need to seek to be rescued from the tower. We do not need to perform so that we will be accepted and liked.
Christ is already with you.
Sister, you do not need to fight anymore. The battle is won; the Lord has crowned you.
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20
Gabby Rousse Gregory is a lover of Jesus, people, her hubby, and coffee! Gabby’s prayer is to help others grow into the woman that God has uniquely created them to be through fashion & faith?
You can also find Gabby on LO sister as an ambassador where she encourages, uplifts, and mentors thousands of members. Find out more at losister.com.
Follow Gabby on Instagram @gabbyrousse
