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How do we find joy in simple things?
As a girl, I loved Christmas morning. “Santa” always left a few things unwrapped for my sisters and me to enjoy before breakfast. We’d gobble down a special meal. After the dishes dripped in the drainer, we scurried to our family room in anticipation of finding our most yearned-for gift under the tree. I remember the year I got a little Kodak 110 camera. I coaxed everyone into our front yard so I could snap photos of our family. I know. This little truth probably does not surprise my regular readers.
But there were also Christmases when, after unwrapping the final gift, emptiness oozed straight from my heart to my spirit. The presents I received didn’t fill me with the joy I anticipated.
I’ve learned joy is not found in the externals of life. I’m guessing you’ve learned the same? So, where do we find joy?
How do we find joy in simple things?
I suspect many of us reserve joy responses for life’s “big” things. A huge answered prayer. A positive result on a health test. The offer of a dream job. A new relationship. Being spared from something difficult/painful/dangerous.
Yes, these should bring us joy. But, if these occasional circumstances are the only times when we find joy, most of our days will feel . . . blah. Let’s think about how we find joy in simple things.
13 Practical How to’s to Find Joy in Simple Things— But, if these occasional circumstances are the only times when we find joy, most of our days will feel . . . blah #tellhisstory #findjoy Click To Tweet
Perspective Shifts
- Shift our expectations. Or even better, release the expectations of what we think should happen, what we want, and the changes we desire.
- Sometimes we wait for the “big” things to come to fruition in our lives before we give ourselves permission to find joy in the little things. A brilliant sunrise. A hug from a child. An unexpected phone call from a friend. Choose to find joy in these little things.
- Remember joy is a gift God gives when we become His child. Though happiness can be swayed by circumstances, joy is ever present, like a gift God gives us, just waiting to be unwrapped.
- If we often hold onto a negative frame of mind, let’s talk with the Lord and get to the root. When I’m struggling with negative thoughts, it’s often because I’m feeling either discontent or insecure about something. I spend time with the Lord in prayer and journaling to sort through and find the base cause of the unhealthy thoughts. Then I ask God to help me work through whatever is at the base of the thought patterns and reframe my perspective.
If we want to find joy in simple things, we must shift our perspective and make different choices in how we think, how we spend our time each day, and what we prioritize.
13 Practical How to’s to Find Joy in Simple Things—If we want to find joy in simple things, we must shift our perspective and make different choices #tellhisstory #findjoy #perspectiveshift Click To TweetChoices we make
- It’s important to take time every few months to evaluate our priorities.
Consider these questions:
- Are we taking care of ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually?
When we care for our needs, it’s easier to find joy in simple things.
- Are we too busy because we’ve said yes to things God didn’t set on our plates?
- Are we in a busy season because a lot is going on in our family that we really can’t avoid?
- If this is the case, we need to give ourselves grace to temporarily let other things go for a time so we can focus on what’s happening in our family.
Practical how-to’s for finding joy
- Especially in stressful or busy times, we must make choices that open us up to joy.
- Spend time in God’s word, meditating on His character and truths in His word
- Listen to worship songs or music that soothes our spirit
- Give ourselves time to do something we enjoy
- Find a way to encourage others. If you enjoy baking, maybe take something to the nearby police station or firehouse. Help an elderly neighbor with a hard-for-them task. Write a note to a relative or friend.
Getting out of our own heads and looking for ways to meet others’ needs can be an effective way to find joy.
- Start a gratitude list and add to it daily
- Spend time away from electronics
- Especially during the holidays, when many tasks press down on us, take time away from our normal routine to do something fun (especially with friends or family) and make special memories
Closing Thought
It’s been a long time since I’ve raced to the family room on a Christmas morning. But I’m still choosing to find genuine joy, especially during these busy days. As we move into Thanksgiving and Christmas, let’s be intentional about finding joy by looking for the simple things in our days, in our interactions with people, and in what God is doing in nature around us.
What about you? How do you balance the to-dos with choosing joy? What helps you find joy in simple things?
Just a reminder: Next week we’re linking up at Lisa Jordan’s place. See you there!
Come share your story at the Tell His Story linkup. Connect and be encouraged by like-minded friends! #tellhisstory #linkup Click To TweetMost weeks, I link up with Grace and Truth, Anita Ojeda, Instaencouragements, and sometimes Let’s Have Coffee. Come join and read more encouraging posts!
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Hi Jeanne!
These are great tips to help us be joyful in the little things! I think I’m going to bookmark it so I can refer back as there are so many helpful ideas in it! Getting out of my own way is a biggie! I can be my own worst enemy… but if I focus on Him and the things I have to be thankful for, joy rushes in! The practical list was helpful, too! Even something as simple as turning on music (and especially worship music) has the power to shift our thinking and brighten our mood!
Blessings, Jo
Hey Jeanne, it seems finding joy in the simple things is a lost art these days. And for those of us who belong to God, it’s sad and not meant to be. I like how you point to doing something we enjoy and to evaulate if we’ve said yes to things before asking God about it. I find that when I can’t say no to things, that’s a sure-fire way to lose my joy. I want to learn how to live joyful.
Karen, I agree. Finding joy in simple things does seem to be a lost art. It’s been a tough couple of years in our family, and I’m ready to become more intentional about finding joy in simple things. I find that when I’m looking for those little things God places in my days, my heart is more inclined toward Him and prone to joy.
Simple things are often those that bring me the greatest joy. Last night, our dog’s antics were amusing us. She gave me a nice laugh after an exhausting day.
Such a great list, Jeanne.
Blessings,
Tammy
Tammy, I agree. I love that your dog’s antics made you smile. Those small, unexpected pleasures can be soul-filling. 🙂
Those are all wonderful suggestions on how to rediscover joy! I love the reminder to encourage someone else. And may we remember that a fruit of the Spirit is joy and we can ask the Lord to give us the joy He has when we just can’t seem to find it.
Amy, we can become so self-focused, can’t we? Especially when life is hard, it’s easy to forget we can lift our spirits and change our perspective by finding ways to come alongside others. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about joy as a fruit of the Spirit! Much wisdom in your words, friend.
I am grateful for these words today, Jeanne. We’re waiting on some big news that may or may not come, but while we wait, I’m finding joy in the growth that got us to this point. I’m smiling as I imagine little Jeanne receiving her first camera and herding everyone outside to get family photos on Christmas morning. 🙂
Lois, Wow! Waiting on big news sounds exciting. I really like the idea of finding joy in the growth we experience in the different seasons of life. Yup, I was kind of hopeless when it came to that camera. Of course, back then, I had to pay for my film, so I didn’t take nearly the number of photos that I take now. 😉
I enjoy savoring His Presence in the garden, and in my home looking out of the window because it is cold. God in nature brings me great joy, Jeanne. I appreciate intentional choices, “Let’s be intentional about finding joy by looking for the simple things in our days, in our interactions with people, and in what God is doing in nature around us.”
Ahhh, yes, gardens and beautiful views from home bring me joy too. Thank you for your encouragement, my friend!
I’m so thankful that one of the luscious fruit of the Spirit that we received at our salvation is joy. We might have been able to muster up happy but the kind of deep lasting joy that is ours in Christ simply can not be manufactured. I’m so grateful for this gift!
Linda, I love your reference as Joy as sweet, luscious fruit! 🙂 I’m with you . . . beyond grateful for this amazing gift!
Thank you, Jeanne for the reminder that Joy does not come from external circumstances. I love your practical ways for refocusing and aligning our perspectives with truth.
Donna, I believe Joy was a One Word for you at one time, wasn’t it? Thanks for your encouragement, my friend!
Oh yes Jeanne! It’s the little things that make up a life time.
Joy in the little things are so important.
Bless you, Jennifer
I love what you said, Jennifer, about the little things making up a lifetime. May we both have eyes open wide to see them!
Yes! Being present to the world around us helps shift our perspective. I also agree limiting electronics helps.
Jerralea, being present is sometimes a challenging, but always worthwhile thing to be. Now, if I can just get y kids to lessen their electronics use. 😉
Life is a compilation of moments and little things. It’s in the noticing that we find the richness! xo
Susan, yes, and amen to what you shared!! xo
Jeanna,
Ah-ha! So that’s how you first became a shutterbug!! One joy killer I need to lose is “great expectations.” I can so build things up in my mind that anything and everything will certainly fall short of my imagination. Thanks for taking us back to basics of finding joy!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Grinning, yes, Bev. As I wrote this post and recalled that Christmas, I had the same thought. 🙂 It’s so good for us to evaluate how we “do joy,” so we can see if we can be better at finding joy in the simple things in our days. I so appreciate your honesty here, my friend. Because I can fall into those same thought traps. Thank you so much for your insights!
In my daily routine I’ll list my joyful moments from the day before. Today it was “walking at lunch.” Reflecting on what brings us joy helps us see what actually brings us joy (and, like you mentioned, it generally is not that external gift but the internal reactions from the “little things.”) I’m learning to examine my heart, see where my fears lie, so I can surrender to God’s way that ultimately satisfies all–what joy that is! Keep spreading the joy, Jeanne! 🙂
Lynn, you’re so right. Reflecting on what brings us joy does help us to see what actually does bring us joy. Your daily practice is a great one to pick up. I write things I’m grateful for each day. I am still developing the discipline of looking for those moments that bring me joy. Ohhh, examining our hearts to see where fear lies . . . another good insight. Thank you for sharing this!
Jeanne, how different everyone’s life would be if they chose joy now instead of waiting for the big ticket moments or challenges resolved. God sure didn’t design us to live holding our breath until things all work out right. So glad we can choose joy in the middle of the everyday ordinary or the challenges we find ourselves in. What an encouraging reminder you give the reader! Shalom, my friend!
Maryleigh, I love the visual of holding our breath until those “big ticket moments” become reality. Man, we’d be physically dead. I’m with you, friend. So thankful God allows us to find and choose joy in the ordinary days of our lives amid challenges and pain. I’m so thankful that joy is always available to us. Thank you so much for your encouragement!
Jeanne, these are important truths, especially for 2022 and especially for the 2022 Christmas season. These are perilous times, and we need to find Comfort and Joy wherever we can.
Kathy, yes, this year has definitely been one that has given many opportunities to find joy and comfort, if we’ll look for them. I’m so thankful God’s gift of joy is always available to His children.
Joy is really what you choose
to cherish and appreciate.
It isn’t what you win or lose,
or if you go from good to great
You may live in Malibu
or a mountain backwoods shack,
but when your life on Earth is through
what you’ll see when you look back
is not the chauffered limousine,
nor the truck you had to push,
nor the glitterati scene,
nor privations in the bush.
In Heaven, what you take up there
are times you chose to love and care.
Oh, Andrew. Yes, yes, and yes to your words and perspective. So beautifully written, my friend. I so appreciate you and the sacrifice you make to comment on my (and others’) sites. You are a blessing in my life. Praying for you and Barb, my friend.
“Though happiness can be swayed by circumstances, joy is ever present, like a gift God gives us, just waiting to be unwrapped.” I am always amazed at the presence of joy when I least expected. It truly is a gift!
Joanne, I’m with you! Forever amazed by the presence of joy when I least expect it. Our Father is so faithful and good, isn’t He?
This is so true, Jeanne. There are so many joys in everyday life, placed there by our loving Father. May He give us eyes to see them.
Yes, Barbara, sometimes, we need to lift up our heads from busy-ness long enough to see those joys God fills our days with.