He will finish what He started in you.

I know I’ve written about this topic before, but it seems as though I keep coming upon the same Scriptures.  This past week I started a new devotional of Philippians.  The title is “Choosing Joy”.  And one of the Scriptures focused on is :
Philippians 1:6- “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
(HCSB‬‬)
Most of you know by now I like to focus on the positive, and I strive to always walk in the hope I have in Jesus. Sometimes it is a bit tougher than other times. Especially if I am not feeling the best. The above Scripture is one that I focus on quite often. I firmly believe that is a promise to me from God. He truly will complete His work in me. How that will be manifested, I do not know.  But I believe it will be the best for me and my family. After all, my family walks through my illness with me. 
So back to choosing joy.  Trust me, I know it is extremely difficult at times to walk in joy.  Especially on a bad day.  But I told myself in 1990, when my spinal cord injury was first discovered, that I would persevere and try my hardest to hold onto the joy of the Lord. 
 And do not be worried, for the joy of the LORD is your strength and your stronghold.””
‭‭NEHEMIAH‬ ‭8:10‬ ‭b , AMP‬‬
The joy of the Lord is our strength!  I do believe this. How do I keep that frame of mind? Through prayer, reading the Word, and never giving up. Also choosing not to dwell in those negative, depressing thoughts.
This isn’t easy.  It takes work. It takes commitment.  But you will succeed. Set your mind to it, be determined, and persevere.  You will be victorious because the JOY of the Lord is your strength.
I still battle the affects of the spinal cord damage. The cord itself is still being damaged because of the scar tissue and tumor surrounding the cord. In 2011 I was diagnosed with the leukemia.  I now have a new health situation I am dealing with. This is still in the beginning stages.  I will need testing done. But I am hanging on to the promises of God. He will complete His good work in me. If the new issue is something I must deal with, then I will do so. For now I’m believing the tests will be negative.
Because I choose His joy to strengthen me, I know He will prepare me for what is to come.
We all face trials in our lives. Those trials come in many forms. But nothing is too difficult for God. And He will enable you and give you strength.  Hang on to His joy. He will never disappoint you.