Music Monday: Joy

My original intention with Music Mondays was for it to appear on a fairly regular basis.  My apologies for that not happening, but it is not going away altogether.  I never want to force content.  Instead, I prefer to wait until I have the time to share about a song that really means something to me.  That being said, the second installment is here!

"Joy" is a song that I first heard a month or two ago.  At the time, I was struggling with various things going on in my life and my mind.  As soon as the song began, I let down some of the walls that I so carefully erect in my mind to keep a semblance of order to my thoughts.  The lyrics in the song and the sincerity with which they are sung gave me peace.  Even though I felt that I was unraveling, it was important for me to acknowledge what I was facing.  I needed that song to tell me that I wasn't alone in what I was facing.  As I listened to each word, I found that each one perfectly fit the emotions that were rolling through me.    

In the past week, I've been reminded of some of those struggles.  My roommate and I have been continually repeating the phrase "Life is hard."  When I feel this way, it's difficult for me to feel God's joy in my life.  I get stuck in a place that's hard to describe and even harder to get out of.  Last Monday was the first day of classes for yet another year of my college experience.  For many, syllabus week is considered easy, but for someone with anxiety that is simply not the case.  I'm not going to lie, the first two days were difficult.  It got better from there, but those days reminded me once again of this song.

This got a little heavy, but I won't leave it at that and neither does this song.  Despite all of the hard things we go through in life, it is a comfort to know that God is right beside us.  He somehow allows us to have joy through the most difficult of circumstances.  Because of that, I will proclaim His greatness through each trial that I face.  Even when I don't feel joy, even when life is hard, it is well with my soul.

"Joy"

by Page CXVI

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
down in my heart down in my heart 
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy 
down in my heart down in my heart 

And I'm so happy so happy so very happy 
And I'm so happy so happy so very happy 
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy 
down in my heart down in my heart 
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy 
down in my heart down in my heart 
And I'm so happy so happy so very happy 
And I'm so happy so happy so very happy 

And I can't understand 
and I can't pretend 
that this will be alright in the end 
so I'll try my best 
and lift up my chest 
to sing about this... joy, joy joy! 

When peace like a river attendeth my way 
when sorrows like sea billows roll 
whatever my lot 
thou has taught me to say 
it is well, it is well, with my soul