Finding Joy
I released my big bellowing laugh
Reference: “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”” Psalm 126:2 NIV
Explore: Through certain circumstances beyond my control, I ended up going through a very stressful period at work. It was unexpected and not enjoyable.
A few weeks later some decisions were made and things started to improve. However, I was still on edge and wary of my workload.
Nothing changed until a friend and colleague made me laugh. He said something I found highly amusing and I released my big bellowing laugh.
It was at that point I realised how long it had been since I’d laughed at work and how much I had missed my laugh and missed being a happy person. I removed my head from the grumpy cloud I had created and set my mind to being more joyful.
Application: While I love adding joy to the world (Joy is even my middle name!) and I find laughter quite healing for my soul, there are times when it’s certainly challenging to feel joy. And I find it difficult to put on fake joy in the hope that real joy will follow!
However, I have known of times when God has intervened and brought joy to the most challenging situations. True joy comes from God and we often find it in Him before we find it in the world.
The Bible speaks of joy often, however, I think it is a feeling and characteristic that is often forgotten. If it’s in the Bible, it’s important. If it’s offered to us from God, then it’s essential.
Prayer: Lord, bring me joy from You that overflows in my life to bring joy to the world. Amen.
When have you experienced pure joy?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.