February 2009

 

Fighting for joy…


These are challenging times. Watching the evening news can cause depression. Grocery shopping is frustrating because the containers shrink as the prices grow. Don’t even mention my pitiful, dwindling retirement account. I get word every week of another friend losing a job. Things happen that break my heart. And then there’s just everyday life and the stressors we all encounter.
 

Life seems bent on stealing my joy. Happiness comes and goes because being happy is all about “happenstances” or circumstances. But joy is independent of the winds of change. It something deeper, truer, a steadying influence because it is grounded in eternity instead of instances. In fact, joy is often associated with trials, suffering, endurance. The Word says, “You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever”. (Psalm 16:11) So how do I maintain joy with all the ups and downs of life? Consistent joy may not happen naturally. I need to be intentional about walking in joy.
 

It’s all about math. I need to subtract, add and multiply to maintain joy in my life.
 

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Subtract—What robs me of joy? Overwork, exhaustion, performance pressure, legalism, majoring on the minors. Can you pinpoint what drains you? I need to be aware of what steals my joy and be on vigilant offensive against the joy robbers. Do I really need to say yes to everything people ask of me? What is currently dragging me down that must be cut from my day planner?

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Add—Where is the fun, laughter, levity, relaxation and enjoyment in my day? Even hard work is a great source of joy when it is from God. Am I finding satisfaction in giving 100% to God in all areas? What do I need to build into my schedule to include rest, renewal and fun? How do I care for my soul to keep it healthy? I may need to limit my time with certain people and situations, and drink deeply from the well of others. Who are the life-giving people with whom I need to share time, activities and conversations? There are renewing things (recreation, outings, ministry, retreats, sports, social events, naps) I think I cannot afford the time or money to do. But often the truth is I cannot afford not to add some of these things to my unbalanced life.

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Multiply—What packs a lot of bang for the buck for me? Can you identify what recharges your batteries (mental, physical, spiritual and emotional)? In order to walk in fullness of joy, I need to know how God made me, and enjoy the activities and input that renew my soul. And I need to integrate and celebrate Sabbath as the wonderful gift God has ordained.


My dog Ellie teaches me so much about joy. She lives in the moment. She enjoys every aspect of her day with abandon. She's happy to greet each new morning. She celebrates every snowfall as a gift from above, jumping up off all four paws when the blinds pull back to reveal a white blanket. She does a "happy dance" before every meal. She thumps her tail when I walk by, even if I’ve only left the room for five seconds. She loves people and listens intently to every random word we say. She naps in complete peace and release. Ellie even wags her tail dreaming in her sleep.
Can I walk with God like that?


We take ourselves so seriously! We obsess over our “to do” lists and our schedules and fret about things that won’t make a bit of difference a year from now. Yes, life is challenging, and yes, times are tough. But far too often, we live as if we have no Protector or Provider.
 

" For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34)
 

I know this passage. But do I believe it? Did God know how intense life would be in the 21st century? Is He still in control?
 

Slow down. Don’t fret. Look at the birds. Trust. Rest. Smile. Play. Enjoy in joy.
 

Leaning into Him,
Linda