If anyone ever had reason to feel anxious or afraid, it was the apostle Paul. Here’s just a glimpse of what life was like for him, as told in the apostle’s own words: “Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:24–28 NLT). One of the things that amazes me about Paul is that he always seemed to rise to the top of every situation and seize every opportunity to preach the gospel, no matter how frightening his personal circumstances were. Paul was fully convinced of the faithfulness of God and was sustained by that conviction. He chose to embrace boldness and contentment over fear. Let us do the same, with God’s help. How can you choose boldness and contentment over fear in your life?

“I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful . . . this is God’s gift to man” (Ecclesiastes 3:12–13 ESV). The county fair is controlled chaos: lights flashing, music blaring, and rides flinging people into the air like gravity is optional.  Greg and I were not there to ride the crazy rides. You know the ones I’m talking about: the rides that flip you upside down, spin you until your stomach files a formal complaint, and drop you from heights that make you question every life decision that led you there.  No, thank you. I was perfectly happy to enjoy the fair with my two feet planted firmly on the ground. Our kids and grandkids, on the other hand, were all in. For me, that’s where the real joy was—not in the rides, but in watching them disappear into the noise and come back laughing, breathless and, crazy enough, ready to go again! And somewhere between the cheesy nachos and cinnamon pretzels (best described as “bad for you but worth it”), I had an unexpected quiet pause where everything settled for a moment, and I thought: Wow. This is a gift. And I don’t think that’s an exaggeration. Scripture encourages us—implores us, really—to receive life with gratitude and joy.  “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful . . . this is God’s gift to man” (Ecclesiastes 3:12–13 ESV). This isn’t a shallow idea of happiness. It’s wisdom literature telling us that joy, gratitude and simple enjoyment are part of God’s design for life.  Paul echoes it in a different way when he reminds Timothy that God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17 ESV, emphasis added).  Everything.  Not just the “spiritual” things. Not just the mountaintop moments. But meals, laughter, family and even a loud, chaotic county fair!  Read @cathelaurie's midweek devotional at hubs.la/Q04zWsKT0