What brings you joy? When was the last time you felt joy?
Many years ago, my mom shared the story of a dear lady in their church who was quite disabled. Each time she came into church, though, she would have many, many children and teens gathered around her, clamoring for her attention. Why? She was filled with joy and love for people.
That kind of joy is amazing, especially in someone for whom life is hard on a daily basis. When I became home-bound in Fall of 2019, joy was not part of the picture. It honestly took around two years to start to come to grips with how life had changed. If you were to come in my house now, you would see the word “joy” throughout much of the decor. This is purposeful as a constant reminder that I should choose joy in the midst of isolation, a reminder to lean on Him for joy. You see, our God is a God who cares about the hard, about the darkness that can overwhelm us especially in isolation.
Don’t be afraid to take the hard to God. God turns sorrow into joy. Joy is a gift He gives that is not dependent on our circumstances!
“5…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
11Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”
Please understand that joy is not something we can simply “drum up” in our lives. It comes from God. We can choose to accept the joy He gives, but joy comes from Him. What a wonderful gift!
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