Most of you who read this blog accept the Bible as truth. You’ve considered the evidence, including:
- thousands of archaeological discoveries, giving evidence of the people, places, and ancient civilizations mentioned in the Bible. Nothing has been found to disprove scripture.
- such ancient manuscripts as the Dead Sea Scrolls, dating back to 150 BC to 68 AD, that include at least excerpts from every Old Testament book except Esther.
These factors and others support your Christian faith. As a result, you’ve accepted the reality of such scripture as John 3:16:
You’ve believed in Jesus and accepted him into your life. You love him for what he’s done for you and continues to do, including forgiving your sins, encouraging your spirit, granting peace of mind, as well as providing the gift-of-all-gifts, eternal life.
Yet sometimes the joy Jesus promised (John 15:11) seems elusive.
Perhaps you’re overworked and underpaid by your employer. Tension within the extended family causes constant stress, or your teenager argues against every boundary like a relentless, prosecuting attorney.
Each of us needs to jump-start our joy some days—to defy the discouraging circumstances we face.
But how do we do that? Three simple actions can begin the turn from upset to uplift.
You’re no doubt familiar with them, but:
See if these three actions seem good to you:
REFLECT ON GOD’S GOODNESS
Joy starts to percolate when we identify the gifts and favors God continually bestows, as a result of his holy character. For example, we might see:
- His devoted care (Psalm 145:20a), expressed through the compassion and support of family and/or friends
- His undying hope, as the sun breaks through thick clouds, reminding us that he specializes in turning darkness into light (2 Samuel 22:29)
- His loving attentiveness (Psalm 34:15), in the kindness of a stranger who “pays it forward” at the coffee-shop drive-thru
- His incomparable strength (Psalm 27:14 ISV), enabling us to wait with faith for his perfect plan to unfold
- His tender encouragement, often bestowed through such scriptures as Psalm 118:6a; 7a:
REST IN GOD’S PROMISES
Perhaps like me, God has led you to a perfect Bible promise during a season of challenge.
I remember fighting heavy fatigue when our third baby seemed perfectly content with intermittent power naps–even at night. The promise of Isaiah 40:29 became especially meaningful: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
However, God didn’t infuse me with miraculous energy. Neither did our youngest begin sleeping from sunset to sunrise.
God’s way was to give me just enough strength for each day. His promise held, and in the process I learned deeper reliance on him and greater perseverance.
REJOICE IN HIS BLESSINGS
Spurgeon’s statement above raises the question, how many blessings do you suppose we’ve missed because we’re distracted by our dilemmas?
Author John Eldredge would have us “drink in beauty wherever we can get it—in music, in nature, in art, in a great meal shared. These are all gifts to us from God’s generous heart. Friends, those things are not decorations to a life, they bring us life” (from Wild at Heart).
So drink in the blessing of that worship song, that majestic tree, that inspired painting, those delightful moments at the family dinner table, chattering and laughing together.
These represent just a smattering of gifts that God bestows every day, demonstrating his goodness which he promised long ago:
And by reflecting on that goodness, resting in such promises, and rejoicing in God’s blessings, we can surely energize our spirits and jump-start our joy!
What joy-starters work for you? Please share in the comment section below!
(Image credits: http://www.worldhisotry.org (Keven Eng); http://www.canva.com; http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.freerangestock.com (Paul Morris).
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Amen, Nancy. Wise counsel. And now to apply it❣
That’s the challenge, isn’t it!
I’m blessed in the wee hours of the morning with joy-starters when I walk. The sun peaking out, the birds, the chattering squirrels, the deer, and the bunnies all attest to God’s gifts. It lifts my soul. 🙂
Oh yes–God’s living room is full of joy-starters! We can certainly add creation to the list! Thank you, Nancy!
That first moment that I wake, aware in the moment. The coffee button pressed, lights turned on to make the darkness flee, sipping that first cup as the quiet of the morning surrounds me. Those are treasured times when I’m infused with God’s presence and grace. I need Him always to help me start my day and finish well.
Blessings!
The quiet of early morning makes it easier to sense God’s presence, I think, before the noisy busyness of the day begins! There IS joy, drinking in the stillness with those first sips of coffee! Thank you, Martha for adding this joy-starter to the list.
During a hard time, I remember those who are having an even more difficult time. Praying for them helps me remember the blessings God has given me. Singing old favorites about joy helps renew my spirit also: “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”🎶
You’re right, Linda. The right perspective can transform our outlook. / I remember that old song you mentioned! We learned three verses. The second verse declared, “If you want joy you must laugh for it,” and the third verse was just a succession of HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA, etc! Needless to say we’d be smiling and even chuckling by the time we finished! Talk about a joy-starter!!
Each day I thank Jesus for another day. There are some days I wonder why I’m still here, but he quickly reminds me that I have work still to do, for His glory.
Yes, indeed, you have work to do, Kathy! That wise and insightful blog of yours is one “job.” And I know you care for, encourage, and pray for a number of people. More important work! There IS joy in knowing God can still use us–even as we get older.
You’re welcome, Nancy! 😁
You are so right. I find when I am gloomy or distracted by the negative. turning to gratitude and praise lifts the spirit every time. These are the doorways to joy.
Amen, Jean! Also love the imagery of opening a doorway to joy. I pray to be quick to do so!
Focusing on God through worship , prayer and thanking Him helps me have the right perspective and are joy starters for me.
So true, Manu–focusing on God through worship, prayer, and gratitude does indeed lift our spirits!
Thank you Nancy. Counting my blessings takes my eyes off me and focuses on God’s goodness and His care that give my heart joy! That is what I strive to do every morning when all is quiet!
Absolutely, Pam! Naming our blessings works wonders in our spirits. No wonder God reminds us over 100 times to be thankful, to give thanks, etc!
Thank you for this inspiring message. I’m thankful that God covers me with His peace and comfort. He provides hope, love, and much more. Have a blessed weekend. 🙂
God does indeed supply an abundance of good things to enhance our lives, filling our hearts with joy (Psalm 126:3)!
Thank you, Nancy. I like the three actions you suggested. Remembering God’s goodness, promises and blessings will certainly change our perspective and cause us to refocus on Him.
Thank you, Dawn. I know from your blog posts you already practice these three actions. Your beautiful smile radiates the joy that results!
The kindness of a stranger never fails to bring me joy. It’s all about the unexpected encouraging gestures; the ones that instantly restore my faith in humanity. And of course, my granddaughters and their innocent happiness and wonder over things we adults have come to see as ordinary… their expressions of joy are utterly contagious.
You are so right, Dave: children can be fabulous joy-starters. Their enthusiasm and wonder IS contagious. Thank you for adding this blessing to our list!
Thank you for this blog Nancy! Beautiful , practical, and soul-nourishing! Praying for your joy in the Lord, today!!
I took joy in Psalm 62:1 this morning, as my soul finds rest in God–for so many reasons. Contemplating all his character traits, blessings, and marvelous deeds of the past, reassures me I’m in good hands–for today and every tomorrow he grants me!
So wonderful!! Thank you for sharing!
I believe that true joy begins in prayer. As we seek discernment in our daily lives, God immediately uplifts us. The passage from scripture, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), is so abundantly true. No matter the situation, our Heavenly Father lavishes His love upon us. Thank you for this inspiring post!!!
Oh yes–prayer can DEFINITELY jump-start our joy as we take our concerns to him and affirm his wisdom to understand all things (Romans 11:33), his power to achieve all things (Luke 1:37), his sovereign control over all things (Job 42:2). And just as you point out, Linda, no matter the situation, his actions are motivated by love. Such joyfully-good news!
An excellent question, Nancy: How many blessings have we missed because we’re distracted by our dilemmas? And when times are tough, we catastrophize so many things and forget completely to look to the Lord, the Giver of all good things. Prayer is a wonderful way for me to jump start joy–having the freedom to talk to my Father about everything makes me realize how valued I am to Him. Sharing with other believers His goodness, encouraging one another, even in small things, helps as well. This is a great blog, Nancy.
You and Linda Raha (above) are on the same wavelength! Prayer does indeed jump-start our joy. And thank you for adding “sharing with other believers” to the list. Countless times over the years my spirit has been lifted by the encouragement of a Christian sister or brother.
I gain great joy in seeing how God works. He provides me with the perfect scripture verse at just the perfect time to help me get through a specific challenge or disappointment. He never fails. It is I who needs to remember to take things one day at a time. To fear the future is to borrow trouble that may not come. Best of all, He knows that I am only human and forgives me when my faith is weak.
AMEN to all the uplifting truths you shared here, Cheri! What a loving, attentive God he is!
Nancy, I love this whole idea about jump-starting our joy! Gratefully, this fruit of the Spirit never leaves us but how easy it is to get pushed to the side when we’re overwhelmed or times are tough.
Thanks for this nudge to be on the lookout for the blessings that are all around us. And to be thankful right out loud!
Happy 4th, friend. Stay cool.
You’re welcome, Linda. A good reminder you’ve provided, that the fruit of the Spirit never leave us, because He never does! He and all he offers are just a whisper away. / Today I’m thankful for fans that help keep us cool, so the AC doesn’t have to work so hard (and run up the electric bill)! I even have a fan that I can wear around my neck like a collar. (The air blows through vents all the way around.) So helpful if I’m on the move and not sitting or standing in one place. It recharges rather than running on batteries which is another bonus!