Choosing Joy
You know that saying, "Life is a bed of roses," as an expression of a carefree life? I've come to realize that life is like a bed of roses, but it's not as carefree as one might think. It's beautiful, but it's also painful—roses have thorns, if you forget to look closer.
Like a bed of roses, it goes through seasons of bloom and seasons of withering. I want to address the seasons of withering and how choosing joy and praising God through the strife shifts perspective and awakens hope.
Like you, I am human and flawed constantly falling into the traps and trenches of human inconsistencies when faced with struggle. It's discouraging, it's disconnecting, and it raises a lot of doubt in your mind, doesn't it?
I've lived and learned through these trying seasons of life—because storms never happen once—shifting your eyes toward heaven where your help comes from (Psalm 121) changes everything.
James said it clearly when he encouraged his brothers and sisters in Christ to count it all joy when faced with various trials and difficulties (James 1:2-4). That's a pretty backwards mentality if you look at it from the world's perspective, but the idea of counting it all joy suggests that it's not an automatic reaction for us to choose joy when faced with difficulties—we're human after all. Instead, I belive it is an encouragement to intentionally find Jesus in all of it and count His goodness despite the pain, because our hope and joy is in Him alone (Psalm 16:11).
The moment we anchor joy to the realities of the world rather than the realities of who Jesus is, I truly believe we've missed the point of joy altogether.
Joy is holding onto the reality of who Jesus is—our Savior, Healer, Keeper, Good Shepherd, Friend, Living Hope and so much more. If we find our joy in Jesus it does not change with season, it is not subject to emotion, and it does not weaken in strife. Joy is knowing that even in the face of sorrow and pain, there is hope in Christ.
It's easier said than done, I know. So here are a few things I have found to be a game changer in my life.
Encourage Yourself & Praise God
David is, by far, the prime example of encouraging oneself in the Lord. He was pursued by his enemies at every side, found himself in caves crying out in desperation, and was betrayed by people he trusted. If there was anyone who had a right to be mournful, I'd say it'd be David, but rather than wallow in his sorrow, which he did momentarily, he eventually chose to bless the Lord (Psalm 103). Every time.
You will notice that after he mournfully cries out to God, he reminds himself of who his God is. He counts all the times God had been faithful to him. Something shifts in your spirit when you begin to say out loud who God is.
Stop Focusing on the Hurt
If there is a moment to be distracted, it's to be distracted away from the hurt. Read the Bible (Psalms is a good place to go if you're in a bind). Or maybe do something you love. I get that energy can be low when you're down in the dumps, but take baby steps. Maybe it's taking a walk outside or listening to a song that would awaken hope in you and call forth joy.
Pray
There is so much power in prayer. I have seen the fruit of it. Prayer is your connection to God. What better way to be pulled from your pain than to be pulled into God's presence by prayer.
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There are so many different ways to count all of it joy. Be prayerful and be creative. Every person is different.
We all know that misery loves company, but let's ditch that mentality and love the company of God's presence more. The more you embrace His closeness the looser misery's grip becomes. Joy is yours to have in Jesus, you just have to want it more than your struggle.
Are you choosing joy?