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JOY! Who doesn’t want more of that, especially at the moment?
Psalms 4:7
Psalms 4:7
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You have filled my heart with great Joy
- Thread starter musicalpilgrim
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- Jan 11, 2012
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This is the thought for the day from my Church, given by a member of the congregation, Sue Green. I thought it was so good that I would like to share it with you.
DIGGING OUT THE JOY
Psalm 4 v 7: ‘You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and wine’
JOY! Who doesn’t want more of that, especially at the moment? But how do I get it? Do I have to just wait for it to happen? Does it find me?
This New Year’s Day I wrote down that I wanted more joy in my life, and so began a quest, “Digging out the joy.” I knew it must be there somewhere. I knew it was different to just happiness and I also knew that joy was a gift of the Spirit (Gal 5 v 22) so apparently I already had it... So why couldn’t I find it?
Maybe I would find it if I had a bit more ‘me’ time, a little more money, a different job, or if my kids were less whiny, or in the current situation, if I could see and hug my family, or visit the friends I miss so much, or if I could lose a few pounds round my middle. But all these things would mean waiting for external circumstances to change before I found the joy and I honestly don’t think that’s God’s way.
As I dig I read through Philippians, which teaches me that there is joy in suffering, in serving, in believing and in giving. Paul wrote those things in prison; I’d struggle to write that when the washing machine had broken down! So maybe my choice of reaction to circumstances might hinder/help my finding the joy?
James 1 v2: ‘Dear brothers and sisters whenever trouble comes your way let it be an opportunity for joy.’
1 Thess 5 v16-18: ‘Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’
In her book, ‘One Thousand Gifts’, Ann Voskamp writes about ’Eucharisteo’, the Greek word meaning thanksgiving/to be thankful. CHARIS meaning grace, the derivative being CHARA, meaning joy. Wow what a link! She writes, “To give thanks. ‘Give’ is a verb, something we do. God calls me to do thanks. To give the thanks away. That thanksgiving might literally become thanks-living..”.
She also writes, “Life change comes when we receive life with thanks and ask for nothing to change.”
And as my mouth begins to choose to speak words of thanks even when I don’t feel thankful or joyful, my eyes start to see the joy that is right in front of me.
Psalm 50 v23a: ‘But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honours me.’
So, throughout my day, every day could I be thankful? Even (especially!) when I don’t feel it? Could I bend the knee, making myself lower, submitting my will, my ‘right’ to have things my way and instead receive the gift of that moment and truly give thanks?
Finally, what does JOY look like? Gladness, unswerving contentment, deep peace, my soul satisfied, knowing I am loved and that knowledge affecting my every action and interaction. Rick Warren defines it as this:
“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”
Psalm 16 v8-9: ‘I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is filled with joy and my mouth shouts his promises!’
With love,
Sue Green
DIGGING OUT THE JOY
Psalm 4 v 7: ‘You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and wine’
JOY! Who doesn’t want more of that, especially at the moment? But how do I get it? Do I have to just wait for it to happen? Does it find me?
This New Year’s Day I wrote down that I wanted more joy in my life, and so began a quest, “Digging out the joy.” I knew it must be there somewhere. I knew it was different to just happiness and I also knew that joy was a gift of the Spirit (Gal 5 v 22) so apparently I already had it... So why couldn’t I find it?
Maybe I would find it if I had a bit more ‘me’ time, a little more money, a different job, or if my kids were less whiny, or in the current situation, if I could see and hug my family, or visit the friends I miss so much, or if I could lose a few pounds round my middle. But all these things would mean waiting for external circumstances to change before I found the joy and I honestly don’t think that’s God’s way.
As I dig I read through Philippians, which teaches me that there is joy in suffering, in serving, in believing and in giving. Paul wrote those things in prison; I’d struggle to write that when the washing machine had broken down! So maybe my choice of reaction to circumstances might hinder/help my finding the joy?
James 1 v2: ‘Dear brothers and sisters whenever trouble comes your way let it be an opportunity for joy.’
1 Thess 5 v16-18: ‘Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’
In her book, ‘One Thousand Gifts’, Ann Voskamp writes about ’Eucharisteo’, the Greek word meaning thanksgiving/to be thankful. CHARIS meaning grace, the derivative being CHARA, meaning joy. Wow what a link! She writes, “To give thanks. ‘Give’ is a verb, something we do. God calls me to do thanks. To give the thanks away. That thanksgiving might literally become thanks-living..”.
She also writes, “Life change comes when we receive life with thanks and ask for nothing to change.”
And as my mouth begins to choose to speak words of thanks even when I don’t feel thankful or joyful, my eyes start to see the joy that is right in front of me.
Psalm 50 v23a: ‘But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honours me.’
So, throughout my day, every day could I be thankful? Even (especially!) when I don’t feel it? Could I bend the knee, making myself lower, submitting my will, my ‘right’ to have things my way and instead receive the gift of that moment and truly give thanks?
Finally, what does JOY look like? Gladness, unswerving contentment, deep peace, my soul satisfied, knowing I am loved and that knowledge affecting my every action and interaction. Rick Warren defines it as this:
“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”
Psalm 16 v8-9: ‘I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is filled with joy and my mouth shouts his promises!’
With love,
Sue Green
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- Jan 11, 2012
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- Jan 11, 2012
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Sing Hossana,
Sing Hossana,
Sing Hossana to the King of Kings!
Sing Hossana,
Sing Hossana to the King of Kings!
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- Jan 25, 2019
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- Jan 11, 2012
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So grateful for the joy of the LORD!
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