Joy

I feel like I've lost my joy.  Things I used to love and that filled me with pleasure have become another "to do."  When I am creating the bulletin boards for church or taking care of the kitties at the animal shelter I feel like it's another thing to check off my list of "need to get done."  This makes me very sad.  And makes me feel very guilty.  It feels like so much of life is chores and problems, that the things I once loved are getting pushed out by a feeling of being overwhelmed and my heart is filling with anger and tiredness.  

And in steps the Lord!  In addition to the beautiful birthday verses He gave to me, with the onset of Advent, joy has been front and center in His "talks" to me.  

One of the verses in my Pastor's Sunday sermon was Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  One of the ways to keep my energy level up is to remain joyful, for in that joy is strength that comes for the Lord.  Oh, but how to do that when one feels like their strength is fading and the lists gets longer and the problems loom larger.  

I've heard several times over the last couple of weeks that joy is a choice.  Huh.  Tough one.  I need to take responsibility and choose to be joyful.  I need to bring my mind into alignment with Scripture and choose to let contentment rule my heart.  In the words spoken by Nehemiah we see him giving the Israelites instructions to do something.  They are told to go enjoy themselves.  Do something fun.  And they are also told to take care of others, those who don't have or are in need.  Maybe we need a little more fun and a little more giving in our lives.  

In talking with the Lord about all this, I felt Him telling me that this can be a season of growth for me.  It's time for me to choose hope, peace, joy and love.  It's time to stop letting my circumstances and my emotions dictate my time and my demeanor.  It's time to invite Jesus into all my circumstances, all my moments, all my thoughts....It's time to remember I am in His Presence always.  And there is joy in His Presence.  Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Since I am in this season of growth, Satan has stepped up his attack on my home.  We have squirrels in the attic, holes in the roof...which by the way needs replacing, extreme workloads, more physical problems....all while looking at our retirement years coming on quickly, and having to prepare for all of that.  So I want to warn everyone, if you decide to go forward with this choosing joy, you will be tested.  I've heard Joyce Meyer say, "New level, new devil."  But I also know it will be so worth it to follow the Holy Spirit's lead.  No turning back!!  

Lord, I am hoping that in sharing my life and heart here, that others will see themselves and see there is hope...that we can live with joy, peace, hope and love.  I am hoping that like me, they will learn, and it is a learning process that takes practice, to choose the joy that comes from You alone.  Your Word is our remedy.  Help us to choose correctly!  Be our strength, our guide, our reminder, our joy giver.  Thank You for Your teaching.  Thank Your for Your Presence.  Your are an amazingly great and intimate God.  There is none like You!  How blessed are those who are called Your children!  Hallelujah!!  

Choose joy.  Choose to invite Jesus into all of your moments today.

Psalm 13 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?  How long will You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?  3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; 4 Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved. 5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.  6 I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.