Rekindle Your Joy
It is always exciting to share the thoughts and insights from a reader. Today’s devotion was submitted by Brenda Fisher in response to the previous post Happiness or Joy? Thank you, Brenda, for providing us with this follow-up discussion on Joy. If you would like to contribute to our Devotions page, please send your writeup to contact@abwmwv.org for review. If approved, your devotion will be shared on the ABWMWV.ORG website and may even make its way into an edition of the Seasons publication. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
We know, as Christians , we are supposed to be joyful people. And joy is a result of having the Holy Spirit within us. However, there’s this thing called Life that easily can step in and rob you of your joy. Even though you are supposed to be joyful, you can’t because of something that happened that really put a damper on your day. You don’t feel happy. Did you know that Happiness is a feeling and Joy is a choice? You can choose JOY.
Sometimes we start out on the wrong foot. Sometimes our actions don’t facilitate JOY. We might begin our day without welcoming God’s presence. We might be so busy we forget our quiet time with God. We realize halfway through our day, when things aren’t going the greatest, oops- we haven’t prayed all day! Or we go to church and act joyful but all the while we are waiting for the other shoe to drop- negativity is creeping into your soul.
The Bible is our basic instruction book before leaving earth. I want to share some scriptures with you about JOY.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Wow! This doesn’t say “I suggest” or “maybe you should” be joyful. It says “BE JOYFUL!” and it says ALWAYS! And Pray CONTINUALLY, and Give Thanks in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES!” Wow, God that’s a mouthful! How can I do that when life hits me the wrong way at the wrong time??!!
Here are some steps in the right direction to rekindle your joy.
Ask God to Renew Your Joy- Psalm 51 David’s prayer guides us as we ask God to fill us with JOY. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me….Restore to me the joy of your salvation”. Psalm 51:10, Psalm 51:12 As you pray and ask God to renew our joy, confess to Him whatever is stealing your joy and ask for renewal.
Seek to Abide in Christ- JOY happens when you are in the presence of God. Stay close to HIM and HE will fill us with the JOY of his Presence!!
Watch Your Thought Life- We need to watch our thoughts and things we say. Negative thoughts and complaints play on our minds. Think on all the good things that God has done for us instead of dwelling on things we have no control over. Psalm 126:3 “The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy”.
Meditate on Scripture- Scripture renews our minds and gives us something positive to dwell on. The Bible is filled with God’s faithfulness, His promises, His love, and our inheritance waiting for us in heaven!!
Put on Your Praise- Let’s crank up the music, raise a song, or read a Psalm of praise! Worship restores our perspective and turns us toward the presence of God
Practice Your Serve- If we look for opportunities to serve others, we not only encourage others but we also encourage ourselves. Both you and the person will get a blessing!!
Joy must be cultivated and practiced. Happiness is fleeting and random, but joy is nurtured and grown.
JOY CELEBRATES! Celebrate with others when they celebrate! Celebrate when God does good things in your life! Celebrate your salvation!!
JOY ABIDES! Abide in Christ, remain close to Him day by day. “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15: 10-11
JOY READS! Reading scripture can be an incredible source of joy. Psalm 19:8 “The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart”.
JOY SINGS! Singing brings joy! It is a way to praise the Lord and move your thoughts to Him!
JOY GIVES! A generous spirit is a joyous spirit. Giving of yourself to others not only gives them joy but also gives you joy!
JOY MEDITATES! Meditating on God’s Word helps us to remember His faithfulness to us.
JOY ASKS! John 16:24 “ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete”. Don’t feel guilty asking God for more. He loves us and wants to give us good things.
JOY SURRENDERS! Surrender yourself to God no matter how dire your circumstances. He will be there for you.
JOY SERVES! Jesus came into this world not as a king, but as a servant. He came to show us that the greatest joy is found when we learn how to truly serve God and people in need. The heart of a genuine servant is a joyful one. When we discipline our minds to focus on God’s will and the needs of others, we discover a place where joy abounds.
JOY HOPES! Living life with heaven in mind is one of the best ways to renew our joy. When this world lets us down, we can be reminded of a place that never will! One day our final destination will be not only entering into heaven, but entering into JOY!