Since hearing yesterday's sermon I've been doing a lot of thinking and praying about the Joy of the Lord. How to get it, how to know if I have it, how to keep other things in life from robbing me of it. I had to ask myself "Do I have the Joy of the Lord in my every day life? What would it feel like? Would I be able to recognize it?" I will tell you honestly I'd never thought very much about it before. But when I realized that I might be missing out on a wonderful part of God's promise to me I became a little unnerved.
Then today my devotion hit home.
I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me.
Psalm 119:30
Suddenly I understood: It's choices - the choices we make every day - that determine not only what kind of person we'll be, but whether we allow the Joy of the Lord to be present and foremost in our lives. I intend to start making choices that lead to more Joy. Choices that bring me closer to God instead of pushing him aside. I realize now that yes, Joy is ours for the taking, but first we have to make room for it in our lives. We can't have Joy and bitterness, Joy and lies, Joy and vengeance. It's time to put away those things and focus on God's promises.
I understand that all things come in seasons, and that knowing and practicing these things doesn't guarantee I'll be joyful every day for the rest of my life. But I believe the Lord has shown me that this is my season for Joy. Joy in abundance! And I'm claiming it today.
via Amy Sorrell who has written an incredible blog about Joy as well.
2 comments:
beautiful
as are you
I lost my joy for 2 weeks in 2008 due to an injury, and fell into a pit of despair. Later that year, I was standing by a waterfall, crying and begging God that no matter what, to never let me lose my joy again. It was a profound experience.
I have been so fearful of going through that experience again, that I often purpose it in my heart. I will Joy! The verse in Nehemiah 8:10 has proved so true-the joy of the Lord is your strength. Joy gives the strength that we desperately need.
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