How is your month going? Are you full of joy or full of stress?
Think back to your happiest, most joyful moments. What did it look like and who was there? What made it so special that it was the happiest time of your life?
Is this exercise difficult? For me it was. Every time I thought about a holiday or special occasion, I quickly remembered that someone was missing or something didn’t go as planned. Frankly, this was a very challenging exercise for me to consider my most joyful moment. I challenge you to think through this too.
After much reflection, I believe I had a joyful Christmas season when my dad came to visit me. I cannot remember a time that he and I ever did Christmas together in person other than this one year. He was in a very difficult time of his life, but he agreed to join me on this special day. My mother opened her home, and we had my mom and step-dad, my father, my husband, and my children all in one place for a few days. It didn’t matter what the gifts were or how they were wrapped. It didn’t matter what we wore or if our hair and makeup were done right. All that mattered was that for one Christmas season, I had most of my loved ones together, and our relationships were good. We all got along. There wasn’t any fighting or confusion. There wasn’t any back-stabbing or hidden agendas. We all just came together for the pure purpose of being surrounded by one-another and celebrating Jesus.
During those few days, my dad accompanied me everywhere. We were inseparable, and I loved it. My heart was full. My joy overflowed. Despite his difficult time in life, I believe he was full of joy too. For him, it was also the first time he had been around people that loved and cherished him for a very long time. It is a humbling time when we learn to lean on one-another, confide in one-another, and love one-another unconditionally. If I could relive one Christmas season, it would be this one for the sole reason of having abundant joy and being surrounded by people who love one another.
Do you know that stress, worry, fear, and anxiety are all topics in the Bible? God does not want us to be worried, stressed, fearful, or anxious. Instead, His plan is for us to prosper and not be harmed (Jeremiah 29:11).
Christmas day is not here yet. I want each person to take a few deep breaths and reflect on this season so far. Are you able to find joy in the season? If not, keep reading.
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to worry about anything. Instead, we are to pray for everything. Matthew 6:25 and 6:34 also tell us not to worry. Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us not to fear; instead, we are called to be bold and courageous. There are many scriptural references that teach us not to be anxious. Below is a partial list that may help if you are in this season wound tighter than you would like to be.
1 Peter 3:14, 5:6-1; 2 Timothy 1:7; Deuteronomy 3:22, 31:6; Isaiah 35:4, 41:10, 41:13-14, 43:1; John 14:27; Joshua 1:9; Luke 12:22-26; Mark 4:39-40, 5:36, 6:50; Matthew 6:34; Philippians 4:6-7; Proverbs 12:25, 29:25; Psalm 118:6-7, 23:4, 27:1, 34:4, 34:7, 46:1, 55:22, 56:3, 91:1-16, 94:19; Revelation 1:17; Romans 8:38-39; Zephaniah 3:17
Joy is one of the Fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22. To have joy is more than to have fun. It is much more than having a good time. Happiness is fleeting. You can be happy about something for a moment and then sad or mad in the next instance. Joy; however, is a long-lasting state of being. Joy is a deep-down sense of knowing the relationship between God and you is good. How is your relationship with Jesus this Christmas season?
Joy is an inward feeling of gladness, delight, and rejoicing. Knowing that you and Jesus are in a good relationship should lead to a cheerful heart and cheerful behavior. I pray you are seeking joy this season by seeking a healthy relationship with Jesus.
In the comments below, tell us how you are seeking a healthy relationship with Jesus this Christmas season and how that intentional seeking is a joyful experience.
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