In this sermon, the speaker shares the story of a man who discovered a great personal blessing in his burdens. Whenever someone came to him with a request, he would whisper to himself, "You are my joy," accepting the person or task as being sent from the Lord. By doing so, he found joy in serving others and became a source of divine joy for those who approached him. The speaker encourages listeners to adopt this mindset and see their burdens as opportunities for joy and divine connection. The sermon emphasizes that God does not automatically free His children from difficulties and crosses in life, but He offers His help and aid in the midst of them, leading to a joy that surpasses all understanding.

God lives and works today, but that doesn't mean that He automatically frees His children from the difficulties, sufferings, and crosses of life. On the contrary, we can experience His help and aid right in the midst of our difficulties. For in our suffering and cross, there is a wonderful treasure to be found, a joy that will never end. Listen to the following meditation by Basilia Schlenk called, You Are My Joy. You Are My Joy You Are My Joy In the cross lies hidden glory. In the cross lies hidden strength. In the cross lies hidden victory. In the cross lies hidden bliss. But who experiences what's hidden in the cross? Recently, someone told me about a real man of God to whom people streamed day after day, asking for advice. So many people came searching for help and comfort that he was left no peace at all. Every time he wanted to do something else, the doorbell would ring. It wasn't easy for him. But one day, he discovered a great personal blessing in his burden, this cross that had been laid upon him. How did he come across this hidden treasure? Every time someone stood at his door with a request, the man would whisper to himself, You are my joy. And because in doing so, he accepted the person or task as being sent from the Lord, he actually became joyful. Furthermore, every person who came to him was touched by his divine joy. It's a good recipe for everyone who has a lot of work to do, and who's always been interrupted and asked to do something else. Whatever comes upon you as a burden or a cross, say to it in your heart, You are my joy. Perhaps you don't know how to get everything done on time. Or someone asks you to take on still another responsibility. Then say to your burden, You are my joy. Or you come home at night, dead tired, only to find still more work waiting for you. You are my joy. Through the cross, Jesus will open his heart to us. There's no greater treasure to be had on earth, for this relationship is supreme happiness. However, we can find this treasure only along the pathway of the cross. That is, when we accept burdens and difficulties as coming from the Lord, and when we say to them, You are my joy, this is the only way. Who doesn't want this wonderful treasure that Jesus would open up his heart to us? You have been listening to a program written by Basile Schlinck of the Little Land of Canaan. To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website, www.canaan.org. That's K-A-N-A-A-N dot org. If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet. If you do not have access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address. God bless you.