Going Deeper: Joy
Alison shares how she has been challenged by God to choose joy as she goes deeper with Him.
“Consider it Joy when you encounter various trials”
I’ve been thinking a lot about this verse lately. (James 1:2) I found that God was challenging me to CHOOSE JOY!
Look.. I know that it’s so easy to feel happy when the sun is out and when things are going well. However, when things don’t go well or when we are faced with the anxieties that come with lockdown and a pandemic, or difficult other circumstances – it’s very easy to quickly lose that ‘feel good happy factor’. We find ourselves overwhelmed or depressed even. And I have been there so don’t get me wrong…
So, this is what I have been doing in choosing joy – daily… I have been asking God to fill me with his spirit and His Joy. I want to be a joy carrier and joy bringer.
I was very taken with this vlog and the quote ‘Peaceis joy resting, Joy is peace dancing’.
My response
And so, my response has been that I’ve have started to ‘practice joy’ and gratitude almost as a prophetic action. Even when I’m not feeling it, I do or try to do things that bring me joy and hopefully others too in the process!
I have been going for a walk and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation, putting on some loud praise music or even ANY music that just makes me want to dance!!!
I’ve been deliberately watching TV programmes that make me smile and laugh. Practically these simple things have helped me to take hold of joy, even if it’s only for a few minutes in my day.
My encouragement to you today in all that is going on around us – is to align yourself to His word and… CHOOSE JOY! Invite Joy into your life by the power of the Holy Spirit and be a joy carrier to those around you!
Thank you Alison.
You can listen to Rob talking about James 1:2-4 in this podcast.
