Please see previous posts:  Joy in the Tribulation: Always &  Joy In The Tribulation: Always & Again

Well, here we are at the last installment of our pursuit of joy through music. Before going into this third song let’s take a step back and answer the question:

Why is jdoe going into Joy In The Tribulation again?

The answer to this question is twofold. The first part is that I’m experiencing several tribulations right now. For one, I was denied on my application to the Life Connections Program I wrote of previously. I was denied for medical reasons though no one can tell me what those reasons are. A second tribulation is another health issue. I’m still in the middle of getting a diagnosis.

Finding Joy now, and always, is important for me.

The second part is about choices. Every day we awake and start making choices: what to wear, what to eat, who to call, etc. BUT we also make choices about how to feel: happy or sad, energized or mellow, Joyful or sorrowful. For me, I choose Joyful every day. It is indeed a choice; just as our first song writer said – choose Joy.

On to the newest song…

Our third entry is a song titled “After the Rain” sung by Aaron Jeoffrey. In it, the songwriter proposes that maybe Joy comes after the rain, and from the pain Joy can grow. I love this song! It says we may have to wait for the Joy and therefore we must exercise patience as we wait for God’s time to bring us out of the rain. I think the song brings a completeness to the trilogy:

1) Joy: ALWAYS choose Joy.

2) Bring the Rain: Be prepared for tribulations and find the joy within.

3) After the Rain: Know that sometimes the Joy comes after the rain and out of the pain.

I know that finding Joy in the darkest hours can be challenging and seem impossible – I’ve fought those times too. Yet, I’m convinced it is there if we only wait, watch and are open hearted.

Look back at some of your troubled times and seek the good that came out of them – it’s there.  I promise. If you can look back and see the Joy then looking forward today for Joy in your current tribulation(s) must be possible and absolute.

Choose Joy.

~jdoe

After The Rain

By: Aaron Jeoffrey

Listen here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W717Cra83qg

I cover my heart, turn from the wind
Button my coat, here comes the storm again
What can I do but to trust in Him

‘Cause I know the deeper my faith runs
The stronger I become
And the thunder, it may shake me
But I always know that

After the rain
You can look to the sky again
The clouds will give way
To the light of the sun

After the rain
You know that you’ve made it through
And you’ll finally see the joy from the pain
After the rain

Everyone needs, everyone hurts
Everyone feels the weight of the world sometimes
But don’t let the wind sweep your heart away

‘Cause even the roughest waters cleanse
So when they come again
Let them serve as a reminder
You can always know that

After the rain
You can look to the sky again
The clouds will give way
To the light of the sun

After the rain
You know that you’ve made it through
And you’ll finally see the joy from the pain
After the rain

Can’t you see the hand of Jesus
Reaching out for you?
You never have to face the storm alone

After the rain
You can look to the sky again
The clouds will give way
To the light of the sun
(Light of the sun)

After the rain
‘Cause you know that you’ve made it through
And you’ll finally see the joy from the pain
Well, after the rain

You know that you made it
(Look to the sky again)
You know that you made it
(After the rain)
Hold on to the light
(To the light of the sun)

After the rain
You know that you made it
(I know)
You know that you made it
(So hold on, hold on)

After the rain
You know that you made it
(Look to the sky again)
You know that you made it
(Bow down and pray)
To the light of the sun

After the rain
(After the rain)
You know that you made it
(Know that you made it)
You know that you made it

Songwriter: Richard Willis Hawley

After the Rain lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group