How to Define Joy So You Can Live in Joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength – it is one of the first things that I think of when joy comes to mind – that, and all of the decoration my mom had around the house. Her name was Joy and being a “Joy” meant folks sent a lot of joy items her way.
Joy has always held a foundational place in my journey. I think that firm planting of joy is one of the main reasons that I have been able to rejoice when loved ones pass or challenges arise.
My husband did not grow up with that same foundation and so I found myself challenged to define joy to him on more than once occasion. I usually failed.
How do you define the intangible essence of #joy? Click To TweetJoy Defined
My writing and teaching in August focused on Joy. Even my personal study tilted towards Joy.
I have always believed that living a life in Joy would make it not only possible but worthwhile. Although trials, storms, ands struggles come up, having Joy as my foundation makes it possible to push through.
But I have tried to explain that to others – the importance of Joy – and those others look at me sideways. Okay, people often look at me sideways, but these particular folks were trying to figure out what I meant by Joy.
I tried to explain, but never could catch that particular unicorn. The other night I was watching a television show where a man was explaining about hearing music for the first time. “It was like hearing a sunrise.”
“THAT’S IT!” I found the unicorn. Joy is like being caught in the sunrise – it is the essence of warmth and comfort and strength all rolled together in confident boldness.
Although when I share this unicorn concept of Joy with some folks, they still look at me sideways. I am okay with that – I will just hang out here in my sunrise and know that it will be okay.
Wrangle Joy
I determined to wrangle in joy so that I could hold it up and show my husband what he needed and how he could get there. What I discovered was that my own idea of joy was smaller than joy. Despite my hate for boxes, I had managed to confine joy to my own lacking box.
Visiting with others and listening to others and reading from others- all about joy and the essence of joy – helped open my eyes to the more that was available if I would only see and choose.
How do you choose joy? Be sure to take a moment and share your joy thoughts below or to share your definition of joy.
[…] Joy comes from God, but it is my responsibility to nurture it. That seed has to be tended regularly. It has to be weeded consistently. It has to be fed daily. Joy will only grow in my life when I make the investment. I must make that investment because the Joy of the Lord is my strength and without strength I will never stand against the storms. […]