I have in my hands two boxes,
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black box,
And all your joys into the gold.”

I heeded His words, and in the two boxes
Both my joys and sorrows I stored.
But though the gold became heavier each day,
The black was as light as before.

With curiosity, I opened the black.
I wanted to find out why,
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.

I showed the hole to God and mused,
"I wonder where my sorrows could be?"
He smiled a gentle smile and said,
"My child, they're here with Me.”

I asked God why He gave me the boxes,
Why the gold and the black with the hole?
"My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings.
The black is for you to let go.”

- Author Unknown

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As each of us progresses through life we all have times of sorrow, pain and grief. Yet, as believers we also have the fruit of joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) And, though we have times of sorrow and sadness, we do not grieve as those who have no hope (the unsaved). We continue to have the faith and love of Jesus, and we continue to have times of joy. The great news is that the joy is eternal while the sorrow fades and eventually disappears.

THE KNOTS PRAYER

Dear God:

Please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart, and my life. Remove the have nots, the can nots and the do nots that I have in my mind. Erase the will nots, the may nots, and the might nots that may find a home in my heart. Release me from the could nots, the would nots and the should nots that obstruct my life.

And most of all, dear God, I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart and my life all of the “am nots” that I have allowed to hold me back; especially the thought that I am not good enough. Thank you for saving me and making me “good enough.” Amen.

- Author Unknown

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Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NLT

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3 NLT

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If you liked this story and would like a copy of either of my books,
they are available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle format:

If you have a story or testimony that you think might bless others,
I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.

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