“Joy does not simply happen to us,
we have to choose joy and keep choosing it everyday.”
Yesterday we went to do a few house visits after church, here in Guatemala. We went to see two different families and the ministry we are serving with made little gift bags for them; containing things like rice, milk, eggs, toys, etc.
The second family we went to see consisted of two young boys and their grandparents. The dad of the kids had been killed, so their mother soon left them with their grandparents and disappeared. A friend and I prayed over them and gave them the gift bag and the equivalent of maybe $20. Just this small act of kindness, something that seemed so small to me, brought them to tears saying “praise the Lord.” One of the kids who was 8 years old held on to my friend and then ran over to cling to me for a moment as well. He just kept saying “thank you, thank you, thank you.” The grandparents said “he just wants a hug to feel the love of a mother.”
They were so thankful to us, a fact that is crazy to me. The ministry here could be done without us. It’s not like our prayers are heard better by God then theirs. Knowing that, I’m really blessed that the Lord wants to use me and allow me to be part of how He’s moving.
This experience brought me to a place of deeper realization: There’s so much I’ve made matter in life that doesn’t really matter. I’ve let such small things steal my joy. Instead of choosing joy, I’ve chosen fear, control or even bitterness. Just to see the way our ministry host and his family live life has drastically changed mine. I really think they smile and laugh more than I do. They are facing such difficulties but still choose such joy…I wish my explanation could do it justice but there’s something about living life alongside these incredible people. It just really puts things into perspective in a way I could never express with mere words.
It’s sadly so easy to miss the goodness of God in our life. The human mind tends to focus on the negative in our field of vision.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ~ Joy is a command.
“The decision to set the mind on the higher things of life is an act of the will. That is why celebration is a discipline. It is not something that falls on our head. It is the result of a consciously chosen way of thinking and living. As we choose that way, the healing and redemption in Christ will break into the inner recesses of our lives and relationships, and the inevitable result will be joy.”
So then how do I pursue joy? How do I make the daily decisions to choose joy in the face of adversities that the world constantly flings at me???
Here are my daily goals:
1. Be close to the Lord’s heart through prayer
How do I have true joy other than to get close to the source of it? Much like if I were cold, I would get close to a fire to obtain it’s warmth. (Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition)
2. Give thanks!
Tell the Lord everyday what I’m thankful. Small things like the ice cream I had at lunch or big things like my friends and family, whatever. As long as I just remember my life is a gift from the Lord and not just a “right of the human condition.” (with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.)
3. Discipline my mind to focus on the good!!!
Did you know it takes only 3 seconds for a negative memory to imprint on your mind but it takes 14 seconds for a positive memory to imprint?? I want to take time to soak up goodness and try my best not to let my mind constantly be baraded by the world – it’s music, news, and television. I need to intentionally protect and create space for good! (whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.)
My team leader wrote a blog!! Let’s gooo. This is so good Bre! I especially loved that little fun fact about negative and positive memories.. dang. Let’s focus on the positive and choose joy 🙂
Kaci. I. Love. You.
Sweet Btw, this was so touching and beautiful. Actually, while you think you are ministering there, you have also reached back here, into my own heart. I so needed this reminder to ” …be anxious for nothing, but by prayer and supplication (JoAn) let your requests (burdens) be known unto me.” Thank you. God bless you sweet girl and keep spreading those bread crumbs!. Love yiu!
Sweet Bre, this was so touching and beautiful. Actually, while you think you are ministering there, you have also reached back here, into my own heart. I so needed this reminder to ” …be anxious for nothing, but by prayer and supplication (JoAn) let your requests (burdens) be known unto me.” Thank you. God bless you sweet girl and keep spreading those bread crumbs!. Love yiu!