Joy, the feeling of great pleasure and happiness. The Word tells us in James 1:2-4 that we should “count it all joy” when facing trials and challenges, to develop perseverance and spiritual maturity.
When I was asked to write a blog about choosing joy daily, I really had to think about what that looks like, and since I am a very visual person, this picture came to mind: alarm screaming, kids crying and not wanting to go to school because they wanted the blue shirt with the black pants and not the red shirt with blue pants, coffee that was hot and now turned cold, rushing to get everyone where they need to be, and after all of that, arriving on time to a job that requires your time and attention. Where is the joy in that?! Where is the feeling of pleasure and happiness?
Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always,” even when things are not going our way. In the past, when things were hard, I chose to put chemicals in my body to spark that “joy” and get through what I needed to, but the truth is, they did nothing but keep the pure joy that only God can provide hidden and out of reach. “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22. They really didn’t bring me happiness or joy, they just numbed the bad feelings, and only temporarily.
God promises us in John 16:24, “Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be full.” Joy is a gift from God that helps keep us rooted in Him rather than the world and the circumstances you are facing. So, how do we choose joy daily? We focus on Him and the blessings He has given, find women who are rooted in Christ who will pray for us and help us see the joy and blessings in our life, and pray for God to give us eyes to see the joy in all circumstances. When “bad” days hit, and they will, remember that we have an unlimited well of joy that God provide if we will just choose to breathe, take a step back, and ask Him!
So, even though the coffee is cold, I have a full cup, my kids have clothes to wear (even if they’re not the right color), everyone is taken care of, and God gave me another day on this Earth to speak His name to someone who may not hear it from anyone else. I guess it’s not so hard to see the joy in all that after all.
We want to thank Randi Cason for sharing this post.
Women's Ministry 