JOY in January
Last year, psychologically, was one of the most traumatic years I have ever endured. One of my family members experienced a mental health crisis and I was very close to the situation as it unfolded. Without going into any details; I will just say that, I was emotionally and sometimes physically drained. It was hard each day to bring a smile to my face and go through the day with insufficient sleep. Focusing was a struggle, but I learned how important faith is, the power of prayer, and to embrace a supportive community. We are not alone.
An overcomer is a person who overcomes something. I am an overcomer. Once I read that you can become bitter or better from a situation. Do you become bitter? Do you become better? I embrace what I go through and work to become better.
At the end of year as I was preparing my goals for the upcoming year; I decided that I needed a process to find positive ways to get through a tough season.
This year I decided to break each month into sections and choose a theme as an area of focus in an effort to find more gratitude in ALL things. Each month has a theme that I will embrace. I will memorize a verse from the Bible around the theme. This month’s theme is JOY in January. The verse I memorized is Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” I have this verse on a 3x5 notecard on a stand on my desk. As I look at my computer screen; the handwritten verse frequently catches my eye and reminds me that the fruit of the spirit is love, JOY… and to choose JOY.
In November, the radio station that I listen to has a 30-day challenge - to pledge; to Choose Jesus and Choose JOY. The JOY Pledge is “I need JOY. And when I keep my eyes on Jesus, I have JOY, When I lose it, I will choose it. I choose JOY!”. I decided to embrace this challenge for 31 days this month. I write and recite this pledge every day. #ChooseJOY #KSBJ #ShareJOY #FindJOY #89.3FM
Several years ago, I purchased a rocking chair that I adore; however, I never sat in it. The chair was in a location that was not ideal. It is petite and I enJOY sitting in it. This month, I re-arranged my office and brought the chair into this space and now I take the time to sit in it. This brings me JOY.
I found 30 ways in 30 days to find JOY on Pinterest. My top 7 were
1) List what you are thankful for
2) Sing Loudly
3) Compliment a stranger
4) Go for a walk outside
5) Take one item off your to do list
6) Slow down
7) Meditate
What brings you JOY? Here is a list of some things that bring me JOY: fresh flowers, a clean house, no dishes in the sink, Christian music, helping others, my grandkids, reading a motivational book, sitting outside, and working in my flower bed.
I found this image - JOY comes when you put
Jesus first
Others second
Yourself last
I have a cross that I received as a gift and inside the cross is this scripture: Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
As a child I learned a song in vacation bible school about JOY. Some of the lyrics are
I’ve got the JOY, JOY, JOY, JOY
Down in my heart (where?)
Down in my heart (where?)
Down in my heart
I’ve got the JOY, JOY, JOY, JOY
Down in my heart (where?)
Down in my heart to stay
Did you have had a tough year? Do you need more JOY? JOY is important. We need JOY in our lives to keep us going in hard times. Are you feeling more JOYful? 😊 I learned that JOY is important for happiness and it protects our health. Joy is missing in our daily walk. My hope is that you find JOY and that you sprinkle that JOY with another and they pay it forward.
Til then,
Count it all JOY,
Kelle Cathey
