Image source: National Geographic Throughout my Christian walk, joy has been the natural outflow from a heart of gratitude. Whatever other emotion might temporarily overtake me, my default perspective has been that God had no reason to redeem a wretch like me, and I am incredibly, thoroughly blessed to know Jesus. Who can't be happy about that?
The last two years have brought me adversity in more ways than might be openly shared. I've fought back the resulting darkness by the power and grace of God. The joy of my salvation still lives, but weariness has too often come to stifle that joy.
My heart desires its former exuberance.
If I know one thing about joy, it's that the path of joy is marked with gratitude. I sat down this morning and wrote out 100 things for which I'm truly grateful, which I've not always had. By the time I finished, I stood amazed at God's grace to me. I could only wonder, like the psalmist:
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
~ Psalms 8:3-4 (NKJV)
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We always have to remind ourselves of all blessings we got from our heavenly father. Than our heart will be in peace and joy.
ReplyDeleteYes, Natasa, it's so simple, so important, so easy when we remind ourselves to simply look for blessings!
ReplyDeleteI can never thank God enough for His goodness, especially when I know I am so undeserving. And I just recently came across the verse you used (perhaps within the last year), and I absolutely love it! A very similar verse is Psalm 144:3. Thanks Annie!
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful that during the darkest of times, we don't have to stay there. Some days I forget all about the decision for joy, the opportunity for thanksgiving, and the gift of peace. Psalm 8 is a beautiful one.
ReplyDeleteSweet, sweet joy. Bless you dear one.
ReplyDeleteThe Latin word "En" means to fill to overflowing. "Encourage" means to give someone courage. Similiarly "Enjoy" means to fill our joy to the top.
ReplyDeleteYou are a person of joy, but i understand too well the nagging little voices that try to drag you down.
I'm trying to fall in love again with the things that bring me joy -- writing, fishing, evening walks and friends. And I'm nurturing them, "en-joy" :)
Mary, I'm so thankful that you are one of my greatest sources of joy. YOU were definitely on the list! ♥
ReplyDeleteCountry Wife, we DON'T have to stay there! God is TOO good not to rejoice in Him. :D
ReplyDeleteDenise, the devil might be able to step on us, but he'll NEVER take away the true joy.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I love etymology. Thanks for this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm reminded of the fact that I used to think of myself as a cup-half-full kind of a person, until someone pointed out that the cup is always all the way full, because we need air too. : ) Then someone else pointed out that in the Lord, the cup is overflowing (Psalm 23). So no more cup half full for me!