Doing Something

We all need to practice JOY on a daily basis, regardless of what is going on, how things might look and how we might feel and sometimes, that is difficult for me (It probably is for you to but I am going to throw myself under the bus so you do not feel like the spotlight is just on you.)

So, how does one practice joy???  First, I need to CONSTANTLY remind myself that JOY is NOT feeling (even though it is very easy to forget that) 

Joy is a choice and a gift.

Often times, we look for joy in other people in our lives, in the places we go, the possessions we have, yadda yadda yadda..when really, and you knew this was coming...the only true source of Joy is GOD...yep, only God.  Joy is not based on outward circumstance but on inward certainty and I personally anchor myself to that thought..because it is FAITH...yay!

okay, so let me interrupt myself by giving you a personal example:

Right now, I am training and on Sunday mornings, a group of girls & I get up EARLY and hit a trail called Dreaded.  Hello...with a name like that, you know it cannot be good...and regardless of how many miles I may be able to run on a flat surface, getting up this hill just WALKING is HARD. Personally, I pray, I focus and listen to music the ENTIRE way up, struggling at times to breathe, stopping for seconds to pick up heart shaped rocks and continuing to push myself...because I KNOW what is at the top.  

For me, GOD meets me there (after HE pushes me the last 1/4 mile of the hill) and it is worth every single step because the beauty I see (after wiping the sweat out of my eyes) is amazing.  

That is JOY.  It is not that I "feel" JOY because I made it to the top, but because I chose to do it based on the fact that I KNOW GOD will meet me there (even if it is socked in with fog like it was on Sunday and we could not see anything) 

Now because I am 99.9% visual and need to have a image to sometimes "get it" I doodled an example! 

You can choose to look at life like this, feel like you are a weed among the flowers and let your "outward circumstances" overshadow your decision to choose joy....

 

or you can choose to look at things differently...choose joy regardless of what is around you and know that YOU were created for a specific reason.  You may feel like you are a weed, but YOU are a weed with a purpose by-golly!

 

Comments

[Sue E]

You are such an inspiration! I joined a Bible study last month at my church and the woman leading the group reminded me so much of you.

[Jewel]

I collect heart shaped rocks too!

[Sally K]

Amen,sister Stephanie! Thanks for this post today, a wonderful reminder. I have printed this lovely quote from Kay Warren from your blog before and used it to encourage dear friends on a card I made. LOVE IT!

[marie]

I needed to be reminded that Joy is a choice...thank you!

Love the personal example that you shared and the doodle is awesome!!

[Betty Roark]

I Love This!!!!! I have a friend with a birthday tomorrow and I am going to frame this (of course I will use some scrapbook paper to mat it). Thanks for your continued inspiration to me. You are a blessing to my little corner of the world!
Betty

[Annette Scholtz]

Thank you for posting this!

[Debbie Blair]

I love what you wrote about JOY and how the quote you used by Kay Warren connects joy with resting in God's loving sovereignty over all things! Your doodle further reflects the feeling of JOY!

[Jacki Marie]

I'm going thru a "different" (I'm choosing not to call it difficult or rough) time in my life and it's been a little harder to focus on the JOY in my life. I'm usually the one encouraging others with a message similar to yours sooooo it was nice to read this reminder at a time when I needed it most. My friend Trish sent this to me, maybe realizing that I needed to read this today, but also because it reminded her of me. Again, thanks... Always choosing JOY, Jacki.