Contents
What brings joy into your life right now? Do you even know?
It’s a sad state when it’s only November first, and I’m already weary. In these first days of the eleventh month of the year, we’re living in the calm before the crazy. The crazy of preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones or/and friends.
The crazy of Christmas shopping and doing all the things . . . children’s events, office parties, gift buying, Christmas card sending, house decorating . . . and the list goes on.
I don’t know about you, but I tend to push hard and constant through the holiday season, doing, preparing, and going places. But then I get to those big days meant to savor, meant to experience joy, and I’m exhausted. Not joyful.
Where does joy come from?
First, we need to understand where joy comes from. The world tells us we can find joy in a lot of different ways. From the activities we do, to what we think about, to our attitude in every kind of situation, the way we respond can bring (or remove) joy from our lives.
Those of us who believe in Jesus know joy is a gift given by God when we become Christians. Joy transcends emotions like happiness. But it also makes our happiness more complete. When we face trials, we rarely feel happy, but we can experience joy when our hearts and minds are focused in the right place.
3 Ways to Think About What Brings Joy in Your Life—Those of us who believe in Jesus know joy is a gift given by God when we become Christians #tellhisstory #whatbringsjoy #busyseasons Click To TweetOur Mindset
Yes, I’m going here again. Where we set our thoughts will determine our joy levels as we walk through our days. What brings us joy begins with where our thoughts are. In Philippians 4:4, Paul tells us “Rejoice in the Lord always. And I’ll say it again: Rejoice!”
How do we do this? When we choose to trust God, no matter what He allows into our lives, this is where joy takes root. We will walk through difficult circumstances because we live in a fallen world.
God is never taken by surprise when these happen in our lives. When he allows pain to impact us, it’s never because He’s capricious. He will always bring good through the pain . . . in time. When He allows trials, we must choose what we believe. Do we believe He walks with us? Do we believe in His good character?
What brings joy is shaped by our beliefs about God and His character.
When we go through struggles, we probably won’t feel happy. But we can experience joy, even in painful seasons. Joy doesn’t come from us; it comes from God. It’s when our thoughts and hearts are set on Him and seeking Him that we can live in joy.
What brings joy to us as individuals
I love that God has uniquely created each human who has, does, or ever will walk this earth. No two people share the same DNA, exercise their God-given gifts and talents identically, or even make choices exactly the same way as someone else.
How do we figure out what brings joy to us?
I believe this begins with spending time with God daily. As we read His word, pray, and worship Him as only we can, this lays a foundation for experiencing joy.
The world encourages people to follow their passions, to do what they enjoy (sipping a latté, anyone?). Experts encourage us to learn something new. Try something we haven’t yet tried. But how do we discover what brings joy to us in the middle of a crazy season?
A Few Thoughts:
- Prioritize what’s most important. For me, no matter how busy my day is, I always spend some time in God’s word. I try to do this in the mornings, as this sets my heart for the day.
- Determine the most important to-do’s for the day. If you’re like me, you may have a Super Woman complex and want to do everything on the day’s list. If we seek to complete, say, the top three most important items for that day, consider it a win. Most of those to-dos can wait another day. We must find the balance between check marking our lists and filling our hearts with things that bring us joy.
- Give permission to do something enjoyed. When we know what brings us pleasure, we can make choices that allow us time to refresh our souls. For me, this would be taking a walk and snapping pictures of beauty in my world (click below to watch a short video from this fall). For someone else, it may be going for a run, baking treats to give away, or decluttering.
Conclusion
If we don’t give ourselves permission to do something that brings joy to our spirits, we will become weary. Especially in a busy season, we must make room in our schedules for what brings joy to our hearts.
As we head into the final two months of the year, let’s be intentional about figuring out what brings joy to us and making time to do those things.
What about you? What brings joy to your heart? What helps you make room for joy in your busy days?
P.S. I’m so excited to share a 7-day devotional with you! Click Choosing a Thankful Heart to get started with it!
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.
I agree, it is important to make time for little things that bring us joy, even in times of busyness. Walking is one of those things for me and I feel much better if I make time to do that every day.
Lesley, I’m with you. Walking helps me feel physically better, and it also brings joy to my spirit.
Jeanne, I love this post because it shows joy isn’t simply something that floods our hearts naturally, it is often the result of intentional action or choices we make. I get a lot of joy from baking, and since we weren’t eating dessert in October, I wasn’t doing any baking. Sounds silly, but my spirit sort of missed it. I hope your holiday season is infused with joy, my friend.
Lois, yes, joy is often a result of choices we make . . . or don’t make. I’m glad you’re enjoying the opportunity to bake this month. I understand your spirit missing it. May your holiday season be infused with joy as well, my friend!
amen about doing some of those things that bring joy to our hearts to help deal with the holiday craziness. For me I hope to walk on the beach in California in November and take some time to read a good book or two!
Ahhh, Kathy. Walking on the beach is definitely something that fills up with joy, doesn’t it? I hope you enjoy your time doing that!
These words are giving me pause, Jeanne–“If we don’t give ourselves permission to do something that brings joy to our spirits, we will become weary.” I need to give myself permission more often. Thank you for the encouragement.
Tammy, I need to give myself permission more often too. I get too busy, and then I become weary. And that never leads down a good path.
You’re making me do some thinking here, Jeanne. I’ve already been dreading this fall season for various reasons, so I need to reframe my thoughts. What will bring me joy in this season? There are actually quite a lot of things, so I need to prioritize those.
Lisa, funny, cuz you have a way of making me think a lot too. 😉 May God show you how to reframe your thoughts in this season. It can be a discipline to choose those things that bring us joy. Saying a prayer for you today, friend.
Your Youtube video made me want to do what I enjoy most – go outside and be in God’s creation!
Amy, I hope you had a chance to get outside and be in God’s creation! It’s one of my happy places. 🙂
A powerful message today Jeanne, thank you!
Blessings, Jennifer
Thanks so much for stopping by, friend!
“When we choose to trust God, no matter what He allows into our lives, this is where joy takes root.” I love this thought, Jeanne. So true. Even if we don’t feel so “joyful,” resting in His faithful character brings more peace, doesn’t it? Thank you for these great points and the devotional! Love, hugs, and blessings to you!
Trudy, yes. When we choose to rest in God’s faithful character, we can know peace. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. I hope you enjoy the devotional!
‘When we choose to trust God, no matter what He allows into our lives, this is where joy takes root.’
Thanks for focusing us on trust and joy, Lynn. No better way to enter these next two months and the coming year. Trusting and joy is leading me into less stress, a simpler clearer mindset, and anticipation instead of dread. Gratitude, too.
Linda, yes. Trusting God and joy can lead us into less stress, a simpler, clearer mindset, and anticipation. And gratitude. I guess I needed this reminder as much as you. 🙂
gee, did I call you Lynn?!
senior moment! so sorry.
Grinning. I knew who you meant! 😉
Jeanne,
I know that if I don’t spend time in God’s word and sit in his presence each day, my chances of experiencing joy are slim. I love this line: “When we choose to trust God, no matter what He allows into our lives, this is where joy takes root.” I lose joy when I set my sights on what I want and don’t trust God for what He’s allowed into my life. In other words seeking control kills my joy. Joining with you in setting my sights on God, His precepts, and the blessings He’s bestowed upon me. Good words for today!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, I’m with you. Daily time in God’s word is the game-changer in my days. And in your comments, this so spoke to me: “I lose joy when I set my sights on what I want and don’t trust God for what He’s allowed into my life.”
So true! Thank you for sharing your wisdom here, friend!
I’m reading a book about joy by Lydia Brownback just now. She points out that, as counterintuitive as it sounds, we don’t get joy by getting everything we want–we receive it when we surrender all to the Lord. The more we know Him, the more we can trust what He allows and withholds.
Barbara, yes! I would have to agree that joy rarely comes from getting what we want. We discover joy when we surrender everything to the Lord in trust. Beautiful thoughts!
I am so very glad you went there, Jeanne! Yes – a few years ago, I went on a quest to find the answer, “How do you live joy when those you love don’t?” – This post is one that I will add to my gleanings – such good insight – and it is so important to give ourselves permission to accept and live that joy He gives us!
Maryleigh, such a good question you ask! Yes, we do need to choose to accept and live in the joy He gives us. Thank you so much for your encouraging words!
Joy’s not a house in Malibu,
or a chauffered Rolls-Royce;
joy is something that you do
when you make the choice
to raise your eyes heavenward
and look not to the mire
of online hate and victim-card,
and decide you won’t retire
from a world that holds no place
for what you hold most dear.
Joy, my friend, is showing grace
to whose disdain masks inner fear
that you, with Christ, have power to heal
through example that will make Him real.
Andrew, I loved this poem. So much depth here. You’re so right. We need to keep our focus heavenward not stuck in the mire of this world. We need to keep showing up in the hard situations and trusting the Lord in them. Your definition of joy resonates with me: showing grace to others so that they, with Christ, can find healing.
I continue to pray for you and Barb and those dog-kids of yours.