Day 49 "The reward of joy in suffering, comes in the quiet and soothes the spirit"

Day 49
Matthew 6: 16-18 "Moreover when you fast do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly I say to you, that they have their reward. "But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, "so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
When it comes to fasting keeping a happy countenance can become extremely difficult to do, after all when our tummy growls it expects to be fed. When we neglect our tummy it sends a message to our brain to shut down our body in order to preserve our energy reserves. When that doesn't work, our body gets really mad and gives us a maddening headache that seems to amplify the screaming in our minds that says just feed me! What we are experiencing is the battle between the flesh and the spirit, and unfortunately all too often the flesh wins.
While Jesus in this passage is specifically speaking about fasting the same truths can be applied in all of our lives in areas such as; tithing, exercising our spiritual gifts, and the use of our talents. The treasure of this passage is rather clear, yet unlike a pirate's treasure it is easy to attain, the treasure is the blessing of God. What Jesus is saying here is, in your service and obedience to God; "don't let the pain of physical or spiritual affliction be the focus, but rather let joy reign in your life." When we grimace, or complain in service to God we place the attention on ourselves. Yet when we serve with Joy people tend to ignore us and place more emphasis on the joy of the Lord. Unfortunately all too many of us who serve the Lord full time often forget this truth. We get so weighed down by the constant barrage of helping people bogged down by sin and its consequences, that for us it can result in both mental and physical fatigue. Our constant goal of course is to retain our joy in Christ thus preventing the outward evidence of the daily struggle. When others praise God out of our sacrifice and obedience the only blessing we should receive is from the King of Kings Himself. However as we all know our flesh is fed by the attention of others. The key to this treasure is to deny your flesh in public in order that your spirit may be fed in private. In doing so your witness will be greater as the Lord rewards you openly.
Daily Prayer: Father please give me the strength to deny my flesh with joy, to suffer with gladness, and lead in humility. Amen.
"The reward of joy in suffering, comes in the quiet and soothes the spirit"
Pastor Gene Burroughs