Joy. Delight. Great happiness. Jubilation. Triumph. Bliss. Gladness.
I have a confession to make today. I used to believe that we didn’t choose joy, but that joy chose us. I used to think we were allotted our personalities and the feelings that went along with them and that there was not a thing we could do to change that.
I have another confession to make. I’m working through that but not 100% to the other side yet…I do believe that we are all FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made each with unique personalities IN THE IMAGE of our amazing God. Meaning, if you’re a sensitive introvert, this shows us the sensitive and compassionate heart of God. If you’re a boisterous extrovert, this shows us another side of God. Neither characteristic is wrong – because we are ALL made in His image.
None of us are a mistake. You are not a mistake. I am not a mistake. God did not mess up when He created you.
As I’ve been on this journey of faith, through the valley of depression, I have learned that I am more likely to be depressed than maybe someone else. I have learned that my over-thinking tendencies can take me down a bad spiral full of anxiety.
I have also learned that I am capable of FIGHTING for JOY. And I do think that many times, for those of us with this predisposition, it is a FIGHT. My feelings aren’t always TRUTH. I am capable of LOOKING for joy and PRACTICING hope. I am capable of CHANGING where my focus lies. I am learning to FIX MY EYES on Jesus. I am learning to replace the lies with the TRUTH of God’s Word.
So, as I’ve been learning these things, it should come as no surprise to me that this month’s devotional kit from Dayspring is all about JOY and waking up in the morning and PROCLAIMING joy. {I have to add here that this is BY FAR my favorite devotional that I’ve received in these monthly Bible Journaling kits!! So, so good.}
“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace.” Isaiah 55:12
I want to make this my theme verse, what about you?
The very first devotional in this book was just what I needed to hear.
“Through the years I’ve happened upon the very best way to greet the morning. As I open my eyes at the first hint of morning, I simply sprinkle blessing on my lips. I just peek out at the day and pour out my praise. Sometimes it is just a “Thank you Jesus” or “Good morning Jesus.” Often it is a more heartfelt prayer, or just a short burst of happy noise. Blankets fly as I share the joy-filled name of Jesus in the morning light. It is, quite honestly, the best part of waking up!
Each mention of His name – Jesus – fills the morning with a heightened sense of His presence. He is with us. He is for us. He desires (right now) to fill us with His joy.
Yes, go out in JOY!”
from Yes & Amen the next devotional kit from Dayspring and Illustrated Faith
Finding Joy
So, what exactly does finding joy look like?
For me, I have had to practice and learn how to FIX MY EYES on Jesus and not on my problems or my circumstances. This is HARD. I’m still a work in progress. I’m so thankful that God doesn’t give up on me!
When I’m overwhelmed, I start naming my blessings.
When I’m frustrated in my home, I repent of my bad attitude and ask God to help me SERVE with JOY and selflessness. I remind myself of the CROSS.
I take time to be in God’s Word very regularly. I have verses taped all over my home. I write out the Word of God. I pray the Word of God.
Make no mistake, this is a BATTLE we are in…and for me, it has been a TOUGH battle. I know I will not come to perfection in this until I see my Savior face to face. But each day, with the promise of new mercies each morning, I wake up and try again…looking for joy, choosing joy and finding it in my Savior and all He has blessed me with.
More Bible Journaling Resources
More Posts & Pictures from my Journaling Bible
Depression s mental but also a chemical imbalance, I pray you are receiving help from good counsellors as well as prayer from your church family. There is a lot of study about vitamin D deficiency and depression may you have peace on your journey but do not forget that the Lord works through doctors and counsellors as well as through racer and petition – praying for you and for your depression to lift
Thank you for your kind words, Debbie. Just to be clear, I am not struggling with depression now. And if you read through all of my depression story, I did see a family doctor, a psychiatrist and a christian counselor, who all helped me tremendously! I also used meds for awhile, which truly saved me. So, I think the Lord can use any means to help us…thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. 🙂
Thanks for an honest assessment of the reality of joy. For me, joy can sometimes sit just below the surface, because I have a tendency to be really hard on myself- high expectations and all the pitfalls that come along with that. When I sense joy sinking (usually in light of my “over-thinking”), I know it’s time to step back and focus on the beauty, majesty, power and love of my heavenly Father. The simple shift in perspective (from me to Thee) is what rescues my joy from sinking into the depths. Focusing and listening to the Holy Spirit reminds me that He is my joy, my strength, my sufficiency.
Yes Karen!!! That is me so much, too!! My over-thinking gets me in trouble all the time. Learning to take those thoughts captive to Christ and continually RENEW my mind in Him and His Truth is a battle I keep on fighting!! 🙂 Thank you for chiming in!
I have been struggling with depression for a few years. I have had a lot of medical problems since 1996. I am a 3 time survivor of Cancer. My first bout with cancer was in 1996. (cervical). I had surgery and they got it all. My 2nd bout was in 2000 I had Acute Lymphositic Leukemia and had to have a Bone Marrow Transplant, The Doctors told me I had 6% chance to live but God brought me through it. In 2013 I had to have both of my legs amputated right below my knees because of complications from radiation I had to have when I had my Bone marrow transplant. Then last year I was told I had Saliva Gland Cancer on my right side. So I had to have it taken out. I had to have Radiation Treatments to make sure they could kill what cancer I had left in my nerve of the face. I know that God is the one that saved me. I know that I am a miracle but I have so much depression because of it. sometimes I just want to sleep all the time.I read your story and I am so glad you were able to break through. I have been trying to do the bible journaling and prayer journal and sometimes I think that is what I need. anyways I don’t know why but I felt like if I told you my story that it might help me and maybe I could get some prayers too. Thank you for sharing your story and I hope you know that people do get touched by the things that you post. By the way I think your kits are so cute. I watch the videos of the things y’all put in the kits. Hopefully I will be able to buy some soon. Thanks again
Jeannie, I’m so sorry for your struggles. I am praying for you today! Thank you for stopping by and letting me know how I can pray for you.