the kind of joy you can't describe

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from 1 Peter 1:1-12. Peter tells us about the kind of joy that he calls "inexpressible." Have you ever been so full of joy that you couldn't describe it? Have you ever been extremely happy, but couldn't even tell someone why? Sometimes God meets us at a level deeper than our words, and gives us a joy that we can't adequately tell someone about. We can hint at it... point to it... let them know it's there. But we can't break it down into words. It defies explanation.

Of course, there is sadness that does this, too. And we've all been there, as well. When you don't even know yourself why you're sad. You just are. God will meet us in that sadness, too.

Whatever state you find yourself in, meet God there. Don't hide your feelings. Your emotions are real. Share them with Him. He will give your sadness meaning. He'll redeem your pain. And He'll give you that joy that defies all explanation.

God, thank You for meeting us where we really live - and transforming that experience into joy so great we can't describe it.