Susan touched on it a bit in her PODCAST. . .She is BLESSED to have JOY in her life. We talked a little about how it is different than happiness. It's more sustaining than happiness, yes? What does it mean for you to have JOY in your life? What is the source of true JOY?
Is it the same for everyone?. . .
Casey and I are in a class that meets every Thursday night. Tonight the instructor asked, for part of this week's homework, "What is robbing you of JOY and what can you begin to do this week to combat that robbery?" I want to search this out some more. Just what is the definition of true JOY? I would love for you to share your insights. . .
JOY seeker,
*jodi
Thursday, October 25, 2007
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5 comments:
I am the robber of my own joy!!! I am a severe perfectionist...I strive for the best but when I don't reach it, I can lose my joy. Or when those around me fall short of perfectionism...it frustrates me. I realize this is COMPLETELY UNREALISTIC but it is my struggle...I am working on finding my worth in God alone, not in the successes/failures of my life. God has been showing me where to find TRUE joy...in Him, family, love, worship, creating, serving, thankfulness...but he's teaching me that sometimes walls must come down in order for the path to joy to be clear...selfishness, unforgiveness, anger, perfectionism...
Joy is a peace so deep in my heart that it cannot be disturbed or interrupted. Circumstances of life can cause me to be unhappy, stressed, or a feeling of being at the end of my rope. But in this situation if you were to ask me if I still had "Joy" my respjonse would be "Joy Unspeakable" because of the peace & security that Christ has placed in my heart.
True joy??? I realized it just the other day when I was being climbed on by Damon while I was holding Tucker, and juggling attention time with Audrey. There is something amazing and warm about having all three of my grandkids within kissing distance. Now THAT'S joy--true joy!
Joy is knowing the Lord loves me! But some of the time feeling and living that JOY is a choice. Every moment can't be filled with things we love or even like to do but I've realized lately that I can CHOOSE JOY in any situation. The deep down source of that joy and the reason I can access it, is knowing that Christ loves me no matter what!
Here's a CHOOSE JOY tip:
If you're stuck in a dreary spot, daydream about the Heaven that God has prepared for you! It will be more amazing than anything you can imagine!
I have thought at different times in my life that I have had true joy and that it came from a feeling of getting warm fuzzies. Now, don't get me wrong....I like warm fuzzies!!! But there are lots of things that are not of God sometimes that I can get that "feeling". I don't think it is a feeling that I experience now that I have True Joy. I still get warm inside but I KNOW in my head as well as in my heart that I have a joy that God has given me. I always thought I had it but the joy I have experienced in the last few months even, is totally different than that I have ever known before. For me, it is knowing it rather than just feeling something.
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