(Today it is raining where I am, which is what brought this to mind. Sorry this post is a little later than usual – I hope that means it is right on time for you!)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”                       Romans 15:13

Recently, I was listening to a radio station celebrating a throwback Thursday by playing songs from the 1970s. Enjoying some of the songs from my past, I kept listening and singing along to some of the upbeat tunes I remember from that time. The mood suddenly switched when the melancholy sounds of a 1971 song by The Carpenters began to play, Rainy Days and Mondays.

On that day, I felt a connection with some of the lyrics^*:

Talkin’ to myself and feelin’ old
Sometimes I’d like to quit
Nothin’ ever seems to fit
Hangin’ around
Nothin’ to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down …

At some point while listening, I let out a big sigh and said out loud, “It’s not just Mondays that can get you down and today it isn’t raining.” I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I had run out of joy and it was only 7:45 a.m. I tried to pinpoint what had gone wrong that week to identify what was getting me down.

I had let a momentary circumstance drain me of my joy leaving me empty. Thankfully, before I could spiral too far into the pit of despair, I was digging for myself, I realized I am the one who controls what fills the space in my soul. I can let temporary situations fill me with gloom or choose to be filled with joy to the point of overflowing. 

To literally turn my frown upside down, I tuned in to a different radio station – one with all Christian music. It didn’t take long for my internal gauge of joy to go from empty to half full (not half empty) and ultimately on its way to overflowing. Knowing that the God of hope is my redeemer and sustainer of truth gives me joy and peace all of the days of my life. 

Not just on the sunny days or each day that isn’t a Monday. Every day.

Because I have the joy and peace only He can give, I can abound in hope. That doesn’t mean I get by with just enough hope. I will thrive and flourish because the God of hope provides all that is needed for a better day, a better tomorrow, a better circumstance. 

The next time you feel melancholy, like you need to quit or if nothing seems to fit, reclaim your joy by turning to the One who will fill you with all the joy and peace you need. 

Dear Lord,

Forgive me for letting life get the best of me and allowing myself to be drained of the joy and peace that you so freely give. When I feel there is nothing else, there is hope – eternal hope in You. Where there is hope, there are infinite possibilities. Thank you for restoring my joy

Amen.

*Source: LyricFind      Songwriters: Paul H. Williams / Roger S. Nichols.      Rainy Days and Mondays lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group