3 Ways to Tap Into Joy
In my last blog and podcast, we discussed how to find joy in everyday life. If you missed that post, you can find it here.
At times, joy can seem like an elusive emotion just beyond our reach. It's something we are trying to achieve through entertainment or other outside sources. However, joy comes from having a relationship with Jesus and abiding in Him, as Jesus points out in John 15.
If we are looking for an emotion of happiness, we're never going to tap into true joy. It says in Hebrews 12:2, "looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross" Do you see that? Joy and enduring are right there in the same sentence. Jesus wasn't happy about what He was going through. However, the joy set before Him – the victory on the other side of the cross- helped Him endure.
Joy is the tool we need to use in challenging situations as well. Again, we're not happy about the problem, but we can (as James 1:2 says, "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials." Why? Because the joy of the Lord is our strength! Joy is our support to be strong and get us through difficult times.
It's so much easier on our flesh to complain and focus on a situation's negative aspect than on Jesus and the victory that He brings. There isn't one situation we will ever go through that He can't help us with. Not ONE! So, how can we tap into the strengthening joy we so desperately need?
The 3 Ways to Tap Into Joy
Have Intention - When Jesus went to the cross, He was intentional about what He could control. First of all, He spent time in prayer beforehand. How many of us go into our days without spending time with our Father God? We are running on empty before we even get started! Jesus was intentional with His time with God first and foremost. We need to have that same intention.
Next, He was intentional with what He said. For much of His beatings, Jesus was silent. He knew when to talk and when to keep quiet. He never complained about what was happening to Him.
Third, He was intentional with His forgiveness. Wow! He was totally innocent of His charges, yet He kept His heart pure from all unforgiveness. We are to be intentional with forgiving others as well. We will never tap into true joy with unforgiveness in our hearts.
Lastly, He kept His focus. What was Jesus focused on? You and me! We were the victory that He was looking toward. And in that same way, we are to keep our eyes on Jesus. We must be intentional about focusing on Him – especially during the hard times in our lives.
Too many people go through life, living reactionary. They wait for something to happen and then respond to it. However, set intentions about how you want to show up each day and with each activity. Decide how you want your day to feel. If you're going to find more joy, create it! Do something for someone else that will put a smile on their face. Again, focus on God and others more than your trouble.
Have a vision for what you want in the future. Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." And when you don't have a vision for the kind of day you want or the type of person you want to show up to the world, you will shrink from your intended purpose.
What is your purpose each day? If your answer is, "I don't know, whatever." That's a sure sign you still need to tap into joy. As Christians, we all have an overarching purpose for sharing the gospel with others. So, are you doing that in some way each day?
Find Fulfillment in Your Life right now. Yes, we are supposed to have a vision for our future, but at the same time, recognize the joys present in our lives right now.
The other morning our little town looked like something from a beautiful painting. The trees held a heavy white frost, the streets were packed with snow, and the sun gave a muted glow of pinks, purples, and blues. I could have been so preoccupied with my busy agenda not to even notice the painting God gave me that morning, but I'm thankful I took the time to embrace it as a gift.
Do you stop to acknowledge those God moments throughout your days? Do you whisper a prayer of gratitude for the blessings of a beautiful moment?
When life is stressful and busy, it doesn't take much to look at the negative aspects of life and complain about them. But I want to challenge you (and myself) to be intentional about noticing - and perhaps journaling about the God moments each day.
If this message encouraged you, please let me know in the comments. Tell me about a God moment – a little thing that has brought you joy.