Surrender Leads to Joy with Jordan St. Cyr
Through gratitude’s power to transform
When Jordan St. Cyr, contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and storyteller, talked with Family Life Radio, he candidly expressed his struggle with gratitude.
Jordan made the connection between surrender, gratitude and finding joy in the present. “What I’ve realized,” Jordan explained, “is that a grateful heart is, when you recognize it, a sign that you are actually surrendering to God’s will.”
“Because you’re okay. Not that you’re okay with the state of the world, but you know who holds the state of the world. And you know who has the authority and the ability to change the state of the world.”
His words are a good reminder of the transformative power of a grateful heart and the importance of living in the moment. As you surrender to God and seek joy in the present, you can embrace gratitude as you navigate life’s challenges.
It is through a grateful heart that you acknowledge your dependence on Him and trust in His sovereign plan. Habakkuk chose joy in the midst of difficult times when he said, “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV).
Jordan emphasized the “Yeses” he said yesterday, the “Yeses” he said to Jesus as a young person are what helps him be grateful today.
“The ‘Yeses’ I say to the Father today will blossom tomorrow,” Jordan explained.
“We’re living day to day,” Jordan continued. “The beautiful thing about living day to day is that is where joy is found. It draws us to appreciate the little things in life.” Even in the midst of difficult seasons, Jordan reminds himself that he can trust in God’s goodness and purpose.
Instead of allowing struggles to steal your joy, you can find comfort in drawing closer to the present moment, trusting that God is at work.
Reflecting on the challenge of his daughter’s Sturge-Weber syndrome, Jordan transparently explained, “It may feel like a heavy season we’re in, navigating this illness with our little girl. It is also the very thing that draws us to the moment and draws us to appreciate the little things in life.”
2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (ESV).
Jordan finds joy in his family – his four children and his wife. These relationships bring him encouragement and support. “Getting to sing these songs and have conversations with like-minded people brings me joy,” said Jordan. It is fulfilling to be doing what God has gifted him for.
Gratitude has the power to transform. As you choose to be thankful and surrender to God’s will, you find joy.
- You learn to appreciate the little things, living in the moment and experiencing the fullness of joy.
- Even in challenging seasons, you can trust in God’s goodness and purpose, finding solace in drawing closer to Him.
- Your relationships and connections bring joy, as you share life with loved ones and engage in meaningful conversations.
- Each day becomes an opportunity to appreciate the simple pleasures, the beauty of creation and the grace-filled moments that God has graciously woven into your life.
During challenging seasons, anchor your trust in God’s faithful goodness. Instead of allowing hardships to steal your joy, draw closer to the present moment, find comfort in the knowledge that God is at work, even amid your struggles. Through faith and reliance on Him, you can find strength, perseverance and a deep-seated joy that surpasses your circumstances.
Joy is not dependent on external factors, but on your relationship, your dependance and trust in the Lord.
No matter what your circumstances are, may your heart overflow with gratitude and your life radiate with the joy that comes from walking in the presence of your heavenly Father.
You will be in good company with Jordan St. Cyr and can say along with the apostle Paul, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4 ESV)!
If you choose not to be anxious about anything, you can live a supernatural life.
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