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Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Do Circumstances Steal Your Joy?

Do you allow your circumstances to steal your joy? Did you know that as long as you live you will have circumstances and problems? How will you choose to deal with these issues?



The Art of Happiness:


 **Thankful**


1. Joy

I recall when I previously worked in a hospital, working with a lady that was always so cheerful and Joyful. She was a Joy to be around. I told her when I have a baby I will name her Joy, because she was so cheerful. When I had my baby I named her Joy, but she did not act too joyful in the beginning like my other children had. She was stubborn and cried an awful lot. Even when I carried her in my womb she would always lay on my left hip. When I moved her over she would flop right back on my left hip. This was painful and she was an 8 pound baby. I was a very petite woman. My other children would often ask, “Mama are you sure they gave you the right baby.” I just assumed because I named her Joy that she would be joyful. I did not realize that even though Joy is a gift from God, you must make a choice to receive it. Today this child became a beautiful woman and is a Joy.


2. Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23: gentleness and self-control. You must make a choice as to whether you want to accept joy into your life. Think about how often people give you gifts and possibly you do not like the gift. You may never use it or you might re-gift it and give it to someone else. You make the choice to receive it.


3. Circumstances

Circumstances or problems in life will continue as long as you are living, but how will you act or react to them. I recall coming into work and I was met by a young lady with her hands cross. She blurted to me, “ Betty you didn’t pray because our machines are down.” I replied, “ I did pray, but God did not say everything would be perfect.” Even though the machines were down, we worked together as a team and made it through the day. Would I have liked to have a better day? I sure would have, but I decided to deal with that day and make it the best day that I was given.


4. Emotions

Have you felt any of the following emotions during your lifetime: Joy, disgust, fear or sadness? These were choices that you possibly made. No one wants to be sad or have a pity party all the time. Sometimes the emotions just named above may be the results of your circumstances. If a circumstance steals your joy it is because you allow it. You have been through various bitter circumstances and some of you more than others. I never would have thought I would see a pandemic. I have read about them in History books, but to actually live through one was something. Even though it was bitter, there was still joy in knowing the internet and cellphones were available to contact loved ones and friends. There was joy in seeing most people becoming creative and doing things to make others laugh and feel good even though we were living through a storm of sickness and death.


5. The Internet

Do you remember when the internet was created? Many of the new generation have no idea what it was like before the internet. According to usg.edu January 1, 1983 is considered the official birthday of the Internet. Now there are numerous negative aspects that people have devised using the internet, but there are several positive aspects. Several families and friends have been united because of the internet and cellphones. Although Facet-Time is not the same as being physically there with a person, it is awfully close to it. You can find joy in being able to see your grandbabies, aunts, uncles, mothers and fathers almost 24/7.


6. How Many Circumstances?

Your circumstances may be numerous or they may be few. Some of the circumstances you may face may be out of your control? This does happen. I know that it has happened to me. How will you deal with the circumstance? Even though it is horrible circumstances will you find Joy within and be thankful that it was not worse.


7. Matthew 6:26

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns: yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? How many of you worry to no avail? Worrying serves no purpose. Although as I watched a Robin that usually builds her nest in our awning every year, I was quite concerned, because when she was not around a very small bird would come and steal part of the nest. This went on for some time. I often tried to scare the smaller bird away. Eventually the Robin did get the nest built and had her babies. It took a little longer, but she did it. I was really happy when this happened. I probably was more happy than the bird was. It was a joy to see her overcome this smaller bird constantly stealing from her nest.


8. Spirit

It is my believe that even though the body gets weak and dies the spirit lives on and never ages. I recall talking with my grandson when he was younger. He told me, “Granny you have a young spirit.” I had never given this much thought until I heard him say it. I recall a girlfriend that could take seemingly anything and turn it into something. I will never forget her telling me, “When I feel bad, I will fix myself up anyway.” I thought about it. Just because you feel bad does not mean you need to look bad. You can change your way of thinking. Fix yourself up and look at yourself in the mirror. Then choose Joy.


What circumstances have you had and decided to choose Joy?  Choose Joy today.


Sources:


A Brief History of the Internet

 

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2 comments:

Jennifer Wise said...

Great thoughts. Choosing joy can be difficult, and sometimes I pray for the ability to choose it. Life is supposed to be a challenge to help us grow before we go back Home, so there will definitely be ups and downs. In fact, I was just reading Peter's thoughts on that a few days ago (1 Peter 4:12-13). Sometimes God will change the circumstances when we ask, but sometimes He will just give us strength. Both are blessings. Thanks for sharing this post at the Will Blog for Comments #16 linkup. Come share another post or two at #17 which opens December 4. Have a great week.

anointedtoday said...

Thanks Jennifer.