{"id":6928,"date":"2025-05-01T16:11:26","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T20:11:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/?p=6928"},"modified":"2025-06-07T17:42:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-07T21:42:25","slug":"when-i-dont-feel-gods-lovingkindness-2-2-2-2-2-2-3-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/?p=6928","title":{"rendered":"(In the Moments) Better Than Life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Our family beach trip is a tradition we all look forward to every summer. Over the last few years, we\u2019ve been to Wilmington, NC, Saint Simon Island and Tybee Island, Georgia, Saint Augustine, Florida and North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, not in that order.<\/p>\n

A couple of years ago landed us at Fripp Island, a place of natural beauty, near Port Royal Sound in southeastern South Carolina. This land of abundant wildlife features long stretches of beach and picturesque marshland.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

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Speaking of wildlife, the deer aren\u2019t afraid of humans. Every morning they\u2019d come up to our house looking for their breakfast of cereal, handed out by our grandkids.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We took walks along the surf, rode bikes, explored the island on a golf cart, and attended a beach worship service. We celebrated our four August birthdays, played games, enjoyed the surf, played disc golf, and went out to eat.<\/p>\n

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And we rested, my favorite part.<\/p>\n

From the comments I\u2019ve gotten, we all feel as if our time at Fripp was one of our best yet. \u00a0<\/p>\n

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But our time was not without its share of significant troubles. We had a jelly fish bite, a tick bite, a dog bite, and my son-in-law\u2019s golf cart broke down. And, to top it all off, I had a near life altering eye injury, spending the last few hours of our vacation in emergency rooms and on an operating table in Charleston.<\/p>\n

The trip was a true microcosm of life. Troubles happen. Despite our best efforts, some difficulties are unavoidable. It may sound strange, but the problems we faced, and the way we loved each other through them, added to the depth and quality of our time together.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Troubles weren\u2019t the focus. The fellowship was. The difficulties didn\u2019t destroy what we experienced. In fact, they gave opportunities for expressions of love, which would not have been possible without the hard times. \u00a0<\/p>\n

I want to take the richness of our beach experience and see what I can apply to all of life and the troubles we face.<\/p>\n

After all, Jesus said, \u201cThese things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:33 <\/strong>NASB)<\/strong>. \u201c<\/em><\/p>\n

I am With You<\/span><\/h3>\n

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus addressed his disciples, urging them to be courageous. Even though he was leaving them physically, His Holy Spirit would be their constant companion. Following are a couple of examples of what He said.<\/p>\n

16\u00a0<\/strong>I will ask the Father, and He will give you another\u00a0Helper, that He may be with you forever;\u00a017\u00a0<\/strong>that is\u00a0the Spirit of truth,\u00a0whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him,\u00a0but\u00a0you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.<\/em> 18 <\/strong>I will not leave you as orphans;\u00a0I will come to you.\u00a0(John 14:18-20<\/strong> NASB)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

26\u00a0<\/strong>But the\u00a0Helper, the Holy Spirit,\u00a0whom the Father will send in My name,\u00a0He will teach you all things, and\u00a0bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.\u00a027\u00a0<\/strong>Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you.\u00a0Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.\u00a0(John 14:26-27<\/strong> NASB)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus is with us. He commanded us to be courageous, not to let our hearts be troubled, to embrace His peace, and not to be afraid.<\/p>\n

Our trials are not a surprise to God. He is at work in them for His greater purposes. God is conforming us into the image of Christ. [1] He is freeing us from the need to rely on the world for our joy, [2] showing us He Himself is our Great Reward [3] and our Highest Joy [4].<\/p>\n

God reigns over every difficulty in our lives. Though God is not the author of evil, He uses our trials to produce endurance and to loosen our grip on the illusion of worldly satisfaction. [5]<\/p>\n

The Lord desires for us to turn to Him for comfort, strength, courage, and peace during every trial.<\/p>\n

Challenge<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

What troubles are you facing this moment? They\u00a0don\u2019t have to be our focus.<\/p>\n

Sure, we have problems, some extremely difficult. But God is always with us. He places people around us to love and care for us. And when we call Him near, He infuses us with everlasting peace, joy, and love in our troubles.<\/p>\n

King David wrote Psalm 63 while in the wilderness of Judah. Some scholars believe David wrote it while fleeing from his son Absalom\u2019s rebellion.<\/p>\n

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, in a very low spot in his life, he penned the following verses. Read them slowly and ask the Holy Spirit to soothe your heart with the realities of God\u2019s truth, written for us today in our wildernesses.<\/p>\n

O God,\u00a0You are my God; I shall seek You\u00a0earnestly;<\/em><\/span>
My soul\u00a0thirsts for You, my flesh\u00a0yearns for You,<\/em><\/span>
In a\u00a0dry and weary land where there is no water.<\/em><\/span>
2\u00a0<\/strong>Thus I have\u00a0seen You in the sanctuary,<\/em><\/span>
To see Your power and Your glory.<\/em><\/span>
3\u00a0<\/strong>Because Your\u00a0lovingkindness is better than life,<\/em><\/span>
My lips will praise You. (Psalm 63:1-3<\/strong> NASB)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

God\u2019s love and care for us is eternal. Him being with us is literally better than life itself.<\/p>\n

Prayer<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dear Father God, my King and my Lord,<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank You that Your presence and Your great love sustains me in all of life.<\/em><\/p>\n

Please protect me from ever trying to forge out a way of life based on the circumstances and happenings around me. I trust and believe that You, and Your merciful love toward me, are better than life itself.<\/em><\/p>\n

As I truly grasp the significance of this, I\u2019m filled with the courage which comes from Your nearness.<\/em><\/p>\n

I love You Lord.<\/em><\/p>\n

Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n

[1] Romans 8:28-29<\/p>\n

[2] John 8:36<\/p>\n

[3] Genesis 15:1<\/p>\n

[4] Psalm 16:11b<\/p>\n

[5] James 1:2-4<\/p>\n

Other posts in our series\u00a0In the Moments<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

As Sea Gulls Fly<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

It is Finished<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Behold the Moments<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Tranquility<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Stop Striving<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Simplicity In Christ<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

What is Good<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Yet Will I Rejoice<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Exploring Grace and Joy together<\/a><\/p>\n

Stay Present My Friends<\/a><\/p>\n

Quiddity. It Could Change Your Life<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cake Maker\u2019s Blunder<\/a><\/p>\n

God at Work (No Trespassing)<\/a><\/p>\n

Hidden with Christ in God<\/a><\/p>\n

Finding Joy in Love and Relationships<\/a><\/p>\n

Escaping the Rat Race<\/a><\/p>\n

When I don\u2019t Feel God\u2019s Loving Kindness<\/a><\/p>\n

Experiencing Completeness in Christ<\/a><\/p>\n

Overcoming Pain Through Faith<\/a><\/p>\n

Recalibrating Our Hearts<\/a><\/p>\n

The Joy of Waiting<\/a><\/p>\n

On the Fifth Day God Created Dog<\/a><\/p>\n

When Things get Really Hard<\/a><\/p>\n

A No Lose Situation, Even with Cancer<\/a><\/p>\n

Hey Pop<\/a><\/p>\n

Mustering Our Faith<\/a><\/p>\n

Lord, You’ve Got to this. I Can’t<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God\u2019s nearness in the midst of life\u2019s adventures.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Subscribe to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/em>\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

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Robby Buck<\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

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Nonfiction books by the Author:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Because joy is rooted in God and is eternal, it doesn\u2019t ebb and flow with the waves of circumstances. In fact, as we grow in our understanding of joy, we can even experience it more acutely when life is hard. Why? Because God uses trials to conform us into the image of Christ. With this awareness, which gives us glimpses of God\u2019s greater purposes, we rejoice because of His masterful work to free us from needing anything but Him.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

For these reasons, and many others, joy in the Lord is commanded in scripture. It\u2019s not just a good idea, it\u2019s vital to our journey as human beings.\u00a0Rhythms of Joy<\/a><\/p>\n

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Novels by the Author:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for?\u00a0\u00a0Beyond Time<\/a><\/p>\n

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By finding two undelivered letters in an old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowing set off a series of events which uncover a plot to wipe out a whole family\u00a0Hope Remains<\/a><\/p>\n

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Please Check out the\u00a0\u00a0Cola City Podcast<\/a>\u00a0. Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child in a city.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/sup><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our family’s annual beach trip is cherished, with memorable visits to places like Wilmington and Fripp Island, where we enjoyed nature and each other’s company. <\/p>\n

Despite facing challenges such as injuries and equipment failures, these experiences deepened our bonds and reflected life’s trials. We learned to focus on fellowship over difficulties, embracing the love that flourished amid adversity. <\/p>\n

This journey emphasizes that God is present during troubles, encouraging us to seek His peace. As we face life’s challenges, understanding that joy is rooted in His presence is vital, reminding us to rely on Him instead of worldly fulfillment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5141,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[657,2958],"tags":[2919,2941,2849,1075,1408,2949,2956,2813,1649,423,2889,1064,2951,2955,205,2836,1495,2095,493,2945,108,2885,2959,945,900,39,1329,1600,1199,18,2850,1818,695,2953,510,2957,2460,944,2071,1705,7,419,2948,2944,233,2946,2888,307,2960,1860,545,110,1557,2943,2942,2837,632,352,630,1319,2950,1053,2961,2954,1063,1322,2947,203,2952],"class_list":["post-6928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-joy-in-the-midst","category-not-allowing-troubles-to-be-the-main-thing","tag-beach","tag-beach-trip","tag-beyond-time","tag-bikes","tag-birthday","tag-breakfast-cereal","tag-charleston","tag-cola-city-podcast","tag-comfort","tag-courage","tag-deepen-trust-in-god","tag-difficult-trials","tag-disc-golf","tag-dog-bite","tag-enjoying-jesus","tag-eternal-view","tag-experience-god-more-fully","tag-experienced-joy","tag-following-jesus","tag-fripp-island","tag-genesis-151","tag-god-is-good","tag-god-reigns","tag-gods-greater-purposes","tag-gods-greater-story","tag-gods-nearness","tag-golf-cart","tag-greater-purposes","tag-hard-times","tag-holy-spirit","tag-hope-remains","tag-isaiah-263","tag-james-12-4","tag-jelly-fish","tag-jesus-christ","tag-john-1416-20","tag-john-1426-27","tag-john-1633","tag-john-836","tag-john-the-baptizer","tag-joy","tag-joyful-heart","tag-marsh-land","tag-north-myrtle-beach","tag-peace","tag-port-royal-sound","tag-protected-by-his-love","tag-psalm-1611","tag-psalm-631-3","tag-redeemed","tag-rejoice-always","tag-rejoice-in-the-lord","tag-romans-828-29","tag-saint-augustine","tag-saint-simon-island","tag-self-dependence","tag-source-of-all-joy","tag-south-carolina","tag-strength","tag-suffering","tag-surf","tag-surpassing-love","tag-temporal-troubles","tag-tic","tag-trusting-god","tag-tybee-island","tag-wildlife","tag-wilmington","tag-worship-service"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6928","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6928"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6928\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7120,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6928\/revisions\/7120"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5141"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}