The Cover Up

Flattering shades of make up, layers of clothing, the right hair products, and trendy jewelry are used to hide, distract and make us feel better. There is no denying that. As we’ve all heard so many times, “Beauty is only skin deep.” However, with those cover up techniques we can make ourselves feel beautiful. There is no denying that, either.

Last Saturday at The Quest For Joy loveSTRONG ministries event we heard four Life Storytellers take off some of those distracting layers. As I listened to each one I heard a little of my own story in each Storyteller’s voice. While I watched each one talk about their quest toward joy I learned what they hid to make life feel better or at least look better on the outside. I am guilty of some of their same tactics. I also heard what caused them to not give up.

A friend of mine recently answered the question, “What increases joy?” His answer is a fearless obedience to God, day in and day out. Joy is not a euphoric action or a fleeting feeling. It is the consequence of a choice of who or what to follow. What this means is holding onto God’s hand even when you are drowning in illness or personal conflict. Nothing else can rescue you. Not another person or your own actions. Plain and simple, it is God. Life is not without hurt and we cannot escape from circumstances. What we can do is run toward joy, forgetting the past and moving on to a better future. In the book of John chapter 15 it says, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and your joy may be full.”

We will continue to wear the cover ups, but God knows what is inside and how to give us joy. That is something that cannot be denied at all.

Sherree Fischer

loveSTRONG ministries

Speaker/Facilitator Team Leader

www.lovestrongministries.com