What makes you feel joyful?
For me, a few things are:
- My man, Tim
- My children
- Spending alone time with God and being in His word
- Chocolate
- Having my extended family all together
- A day on the boat (beautiful weather, of course)
- Traveling to new places
- Laughter with family and friends
- Music
- A pedicure, okay…and a massage
- Looking out and seeing God paint the sky glorious colors
- A clean house
- Hearing a child’s giggle
- Oh, how this list could go on and on for me.
In Psalm 119:1-2 it says, “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts.” I appreciate folks of integrity. I often call my husband “my man of integrity”. Maybe that’s one of the many reasons why he makes me joyful. Yep.
When we follow God’s instructions, we are joyful. He may take us through some detours along the way, but in the end…joy!
Searching God with all my heart…ahhh, pure joy. I just LOVE digging in His word, learning more about Him, and falling more in love with my Savior.
These verses make me smile because they take my mind to a mindset of blessings. But there are so many more verses on joy. Do you need a few to make you smile?
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Provers 17:22
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans” 15:13
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4
“May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.” Psalm 104:34
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4
Wait! What? “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials”? Um…yes. These are those “detours” I mentioned previously. When we stick with God through those tough times in life (and you WILL have them), He produces joy in the end. It is often hard, very hard, to believe that any joy can come out of a horrible situation, but that’s what you must do…believe. Believe that God will see you through it all. He will.
So no matter where you are in life right now; whether you are in a blissful state of mind or a bonded one, know that when you have Christ in your heart, God is on your side, and joy, exceeding joy, is there for you.
I pray that you will enjoy soaking up THE SON every moment of each day. –Stephanie
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