Lord, I do not honor you merely by
obeying you. The way to glorify you the most
is to enjoy you. Help me...to revel in all you are
and have done for me until it awakens joy in my heart.
The Songs of Jesus
Is your joy awake? Do others see your joy? Does it take getting what you want to be joyful? Do you find the circumstances of your life robbing you of joy?
Debra Fileta in RELEVANT MAGAZINE says "there are a few things truly happy people don't ever do." Do you want to know what they are?
1. Comparing - "looking at what others have is a recipe for disaster".
2. Complaining - "When the enemy tempts you to dwell on all that you don't have, defeat him by praising God for all that He's given".
3. Competing - "Happy people don't live their life with others as their measuring stick".
4. Controlling - "Letting go of control only becomes a reality when we grasp the truth that the moment we do, Someone greater takes control."
5. Criticizing - "People who put others down the most are the ones who are struggling the most within themselves."
Fileta says "Happiness as the world defines it may not always be possible, but no matter where you are in life, you have the ability to choose joy."
I remind myself often that "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Gal. 5:22-23). No matter how I try to convince myself otherwise, when I became a believer (July 3, 1981) the Holy Spirit began developing within me His fruit. How healthy that fruit is depends on how much I depend upon Him. How are you feeling today? What are you depending upon today?
For further study: 1 Chron. 16:27, Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 40:16, Psalm 118:24, Isaiah 55:10-12, Luke 2:10-11, John 15:11, Romans 12:12, 1 Cor. 13:6, James 1:2-4.
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
Love,
Holly
