More joy… I think we could all use more joy.
There was a time in my life when I didn’t really understand what joy was. I understood happy but not joy.
Here’s a great definition of joy:
Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world
John Piper from www.desiringgod.com
The Key Ingredient to More Joy is Gratitude.
The times when I have experienced joy most is when I am thankful to God for something. It makes me feel so, so good inside. Like I’m about to burst. It makes me want to find more things to be thankful about.
Sometimes life isn’t so good and I have to purposely look for things to be thankful for. And sometimes I choose not to see the good things around me, but choose to look at my problems instead.
But lately I’ve been realising how good I have it. And honestly from the outside my life probably looked better a few years ago than it does now, but on the inside I’m way happier now. I’m more thankful and I have way more joy.
There Are Many Good Things We Take For Granted
Our beds – so often taken for granted. I feel so lucky to get to sleep in such a comfy bed. I have a warm, snuggly quilt and awesome pillow. I’m sure you do too.
When I wake up I get to jump under a warm shower. I have heating in my home to keep me warm. I have food in the pantry and fridge to fill my tummy.
I have warm, comfy clothes to wear. We have enough money to fill our shopping trolley with loads of fresh, healthy food to fill the tummies of our growing family.
I have a washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner and slowcooker to speed me through my chores.
I have access to so much information.
I can read.
As a woman I have privileges that have only been allowed in recent history. I can attend university. I can have a career. I can choose to stay home with the kids though if I want. (I’m lucky enough that I get to stay home with the kids while they’re young).
Our family is richer than the majority of the world (even though we are average in Australia)
I have the freedom to choose what I believe.
I live in a beautiful country.
I am safe and not under threat.
I live in the new covenant. A time in history where we don’t need to offer sacrifices to God for our sins. Jesus has taken care of it for me.
I have God’s Spirit alive inside of me. The Creator of the whole universe living inside of me!
I am loved by my Creator.
Life’s not fair. I am so blessed. Why me?
Am I thankful for all these blessings everyday? No. But I should be.
What am I going to do with all these blessings and favours that God has given me?
- I need to use what I’ve been given.
- And I need to give what I can.
- Most of all I need to have a thankful heart and offer this thanks to God as often as I can.
Simply offering this thanks to God fills me with so much joy.
Let’s keep searching for joy in the everyday parts of life…
If you need more inspiration in finding God’s gifts in everyday life check out “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. I love this book. It’s very thought-provoking and beautifully written. It really helped me see the small every day gifts that I normally take for granted.
