As I watch the sun peaking through the eucalyptus trees I am practicing joy.
The fishing boats are headed out with great hopes of catches of albacore. Me, I’m just joyful for another day on the water and the nature the Lord has placed around us.
The best way to practice joy is to start the day by thanking the Lord for another sunrise, knowing He has planned our day, filled with good things.
One of my favorite joy verses is Psalms 16:11.
“You have shown me the path to life,and you make me glad by being near to me.Sitting at your right side,I will always be joyful.” CEV
“ My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. 3 You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. 4 But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.” James 1:2-4 CEV
In the King James version, it says “Count it all joy”. Really, count it joy when you fall into temptations?
Yes, because the joy comes from knowing that you’re not in this alone! God has promised to never leave us or forsake us, that means we are in His presence and in His presence there is fullness of joy!
Joy in knowing that we aren’t operating under our own power or our own wisdom, joy to know that He has created us to be victorious! When I realize all of that, I am growing and maturing, becoming the more Christ-like .
In John 16, Jesus was talking with his disciples the night before His crucifixion. He was giving them last minute instructions. He told them that they would all abandon Him and that He would be alone but He quickly added that the Father would be with Him so He wouldn’t really be alone. (In His presence is fullness of joy)!
He then told the disciples that they would have troubles in this world. Not as big as the crucifixion but troubles all the same. His next words may have seem strange to them, He said “Be of good cheer (find joy), for I have overcome the world”. Jesus had just told them how he was overcoming the trials in His life – He wasn’t looking for the support of friends and followers but He was simply looking to the One who would never leave or forsake, the Father and in the Father’s presence is victory and fullness of joy.
I am determined that I will have a joy-filled day. I will keep my mind focused on the Father and in His presence I will have fullness of joy!
I will practice joy!