Beauty and The Beast

Abigail’s story begins in 1 Samuel 25: 1-3. She was the wife of a man named Nabal who was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. The Bible describes her as being intelligent and beautiful, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings.

The Bible also tells us that the name Abigail means source of joy and Nabal means fool. Both lived up to their names.

To say she married into a toxic situation would likely be an understatement, but often in life, it’s not the easiest of times, but the hardest that can bring out the best in people.

Perhaps you can relate to Abigail. Are you living in a difficult marriage? Do you work for a mean and ruthless employer? Can your family or neighbors be hard to get a long with? Dealing with people in general can be difficult. Dealing with mean and surly people can be exceptionally hard.

Through all the drama and trials Abigail remained true to her name; a source of joy. Could the same be said of you?

In the movie Beauty and the Beast, Belle’s kindness and joy in the midst of the surly beast’s outbursts, lead to a happy ending. While our real life circumstances may not seem to have fairytale endings, the truth is that in the midst of them we can always be a source of joy.

Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit that we experience as Christ lives in us. He is our source of joy and because He is walking through life with us, we have the ability to find joy in any and every situation.

Be Intentional about choosing joy!

Praises & Prayers

Father, I want to thank you for being the source of joy in my life. Help me to choose joy in my circumstances and watch for Your leading to make the most of them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Messages from His Word

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23