Monday Meditations - Joyful

Joyful

What do you think of when you hear the world "joyful"? The giggling of children? A smiling face? A happy surprise? These things can all bring joy, but I have found that being joyful is a choice, a state of mind.

When my father passed away a couple years ago, I posted this on my Facebook page:

Today I choose to rejoice, in spite of my sadness. I rejoice in the fact that my father is no longer sick or suffering. I rejoice in the fact that I was born to parents who loved me enough to show me The Way, The Truth, and The Life. I rejoice in the fact that my parents are together again after many years of being apart. I rejoice in the fact that I will see them both again someday. I rejoice that when I do see them, they will both be whole and healthy.

I know "rejoice" shows up a lot there, but you'll also notice the word "choose." That's part of being joyful in difficult times. We can be sad and still be joyful. We can be distraught and still find something to be joyful about.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)

The last picture taken of us kids with our dad.

Recently I was talking with someone about my Blessings Book. It's a blank journal where I jot down God's blessings to me. They can be a little thing, such as being up early enough to see an amazing sunrise. It can be a huge thing, such as my daughter announcing the coming of our first grandchild. By keeping my eyes open, I can see all the ways God blesses me. When I look back on His blessings, I have no excuse to not be joyful.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him" (Psalm 28:7)

If you are struggling with joyfulness, pray and ask God to reveal His blessings. Write them down and dwell on them instead of the negativity in this world today.