Joy, Joy, Joy…
Good morning, and HAPPY FEBRUARY!!!
Gosh, it sure feels good to be in a new month.
January was long, dark, cold, icy and snowy. Repeat.
For the last few years, I have been really trying to lean into each season. Instead of rushing through to the next, I am trying to pause, sit, reflect, soak in.
January just about tested all my patience with this! :)
How is your prayer life going?
So far, I have really tried to be intentional. I have planned prayer times and it is helping.
Yesterday, I received the sweetest gift in the mail! Who doesn’t love surprise mail?
It was a dark, rainy and gloomy day and Jesus knew I needed a little sunshine.
Some sweet soul sent me a prayer book, a prayer calendar, and prayer cards.
Still at this moment, I have no idea who sent them to me.
Please let me know if you were the one that sent it. You have no idea how it blessed me!
Truly, a much needed gift and oh so timely!
Speaking of gifts, my precious momma took me shopping this week and we had the best time.
As I grow older, my love language is hands down, quality time.
I could sit and talk and just BE with my friends and family all day long. No gifts or services required.
Last week was a hard one.
My daughter lost a sweet friend in a tragic accident.
Many of her friends are struggling with the loss. Well, really all of us are.
He was a student at UGA, and a beloved friend and brother in Christ to many.
It was so unexpected and just so sad. Our whole weekend was heavy as we processed the events that took place.
By Monday of this week, I was really in need of JOY.
I kept asking Jesus, “is it okay to ask for Joy? is it selfish to ask for Joy?”
Many prayers later, I believe He answered.
He gives us JOY freely.
Joy is the second fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23.
There are countless verses in the Bible on Joy!
One of the very first scriptures I memorized years ago was…
“The joy of The Lord is my Strength.” Nehemiah 8:10.
Boy, I know now why Joy is so important.
This world is heavy.
Sad and tragic events occur.
It would be so easy to get swallowed up in the darkness of it all.
Yet, God wants us to have Joy!
Joy is not a wishing away of the bad stuff…
Joy is the Hope that we have in Jesus.
Joy is the exclamation mark of this verse…
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. Revelation 21:4
Joy is the knowledge of and the promise of the fact that the end will be better than the beginning.
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Ecclesiastes 7:8
Friend, if you are in need of Joy today, it is okay to ask Jesus.
He already knows what you need.
Pour your heart out to Him.
Let Him fill you up with His JOY.
Joy does not mean all circumstances are good.
Joy is still available when circumstances are not good.
Joy is what sets us apart as Christ followers.
Here are a few ways to help us have access to Joy…
Ask God for it.
Do something for someone.
Read and meditate on the Psalms.
Saturate your house and car with worship music.
Call a friend and meet them for lunch or coffee.
Friend, I am praying for Jesus to soak you from the top of your sweet head to the bottom of your cute little toes with JOY!
You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Isaiah 55:12
joy seeker,
jill
