Choose joy, choose joy, choose joy…

This is a mantra that runs through my head daily. It seems as though the craziness of life threatens the little sparks of joy through out my day. The heaviness of stress stifles the pitter patter of my heart that I can only explain as JOY.

I journaled through my lack of joy several weeks ago and came to the conclusion that there is joy to be had whether I choose to recognize it or not. It is up to ME to RISE UP (literally in the morning) and determine to disallow life’s junk to distract me from seeing special glimpses of God’s glory. These glimpses of joy don’t disappear because we are stressed out. No, they are ever present because God is oh so good all the time. There is joy for the taking, we just have to RISE UP and choose to experience it.

The Lord whispered into my heart about the joy He places in my life…

~Will you choose to open your eyes and experience the sunset that I washed in pink and purple and orange just for you tonight?

~Will you see that it is ME who put that special friend in your life to experience laughter and community?

~Will you remember the times that I came through for you when life got tough and know I will do it again and again and again?

There’s a children’s church song that goes

I’ve got that joy joy joy joy down in my heart. Down in my heart. Down in my heart to stay.

Just because we are adults, let us not miss out on the simplicity of the lyrics to that song. Let us declare that we will not let stress rob us of our God-given, God-breathed, God-ordained joy that is ours for the taking.

Let us do what the Bible commands:

Most of all, friends, always rejoice in the Lord! I never tire of saying it: Rejoice! Keep your gentle nature so that all people will know what it looks like to walk in His footsteps. The Lord is ever present with us. {Philippians 4:4-5 THE VOICE}

Let us RISE UP! daily and choose JOY.

Who’s with me?