Choosing Joy

If you read yesterday’s post, you know that I’ve reclaimed living life to it’s fullest and living it full of joy.

Really, it’s like something woke up or a light switch turned on inside of me. I guess I can’t really explain it, except that I am excited about my life again. My circumstances haven’t changed, but I guess I have.

You know, I think sometimes we get so bogged down with life, the circumstances, the daily issues, our schedules, running from here to there, doing the same thing day after day, living our lives in what we know. That becomes comfortable. Then all of a sudden, for whatever reason, life becomes uncomfortable and we “wake up” to really how we are living our lives. At least I think that’s what has happened to me.

I also believe we are so hard on ourselves. We see our failures. We see how we mess up, day after day. We see the things we do wrong, and don’t celebrate the things we do right. We recall all the negative words people have said in our past, but we don’t allow the uplifting words people have spoken in our lives to fill our minds. At least that’s some of what I do. (Why do we do that??)

When we struggle with something…a problem at work, a troubled relationship, a broken heart, a life-threatening illness, financial strain, and the million other things we may experience, those things can become what we focus on the most.

We just keep going through the motions in life, trying to just get by or get through.

And our joy flies out the window.

Maybe I’m the only one that falls into this trap. I pray you never do.

But again today, I chose joy. I chose to focus on this great adventure with God and living my life to the fullest. Again, my circumstances really didn’t change, but I have. You’d think the realization of the fact that in two weeks I will be unemployed that I should be panicked, worried, freaked out…but I’m not. I’m trusting God and choosing joy.

I know there are people in my life who are experiencing tough circumstances, much tougher circumstances than I. I’m watching God answer our prayers in these circumstances, give my friends hope, and fill them with His joy. It’s been a beautiful, hope-filled thing to watch and be a part of. They have all chosen to live in joy and live life to the fullest. They’ve been examples to all of us who know them.

Tonight, as I close this day down, I pray that if you’re struggling with choosing joy in your life that God is beginning to “wake up” His joy in your life. And I pray because of that, that this season of Christmas will be so very special for you, your family and for everyone’s life you impact.

Thank you for allowing me to be real with you once again, friends. God bless you!