Live a joy-filled, contented life
C.H. Spurgeon once said, “You cannot glorify God better than by a calm and joyous life. Let the world know that you serve a good Master.”
Enthusiasm, zeal and a zest for each new day… the ability to be able to prevail over our changes and challenges with, as the French say, “Joie de Vivre.” Joy is that ‘certain something’ that puts a twinkle in our eyes, lights up our faces and sets a spring in our step. And like the sun, it radiates, it shines and permeates everything around it.
But maybe life has become dull and routine. Once you were interested, motivated and enthusiastic — and now you’re lost, empty and at the point where you just don’t expect anything to go right for you anymore. You can’t even muster-up an appearance of joy.
Have you ever felt that way? Do you need a renewed sense of joy?
Several summers ago, I heard about a man who sold balloons at a local carnival. His balloons were all shapes, sizes and colors. But he had an unusual selling technique. Throughout the day, he would release a heliumfilled balloon into the air. When the children at the carnival saw the balloon floating gracefully upwards, they would ask their parents if they could buy one.
One afternoon, a five-year-old boy and his mother walked over to the balloon man’s stand. The soon-to-be kindergartener pointed to a large purple balloon amongst a cluster of rainbow colors and asked, “Sir, if you let go of the purple balloon, would it fly?”
After a moment of silence, the man replied, “It’s not the color of the balloon; it is what’s inside that makes it rise up.” Similarly, as this story illustrates, the same thing applies to our lives: It’s what is inside that counts. True joy and contentment comes from within. It is part of the overflow of the Spirit-filled life.
Our lives are full of choices. We draw in what we think; so think about ‘God’s goodness, His mercy, and His power.’ For no matter where life has taken you, you can decide to begin now and make the rest of your life as you want it to be.
It could be that you have been through a tough time. But don’t let one or even a series of setbacks cause you to lose your joy. Put the past behind you. Don’t discredit or put yourself down. Let go of the hurts and pains. Banish the fear of failure. Today is a new day, and God has more ahead for you.
So, with joy in your heart, use your words to state the way you desire situations to be. Romans 10:10 says, “With the heart man believeth….and with the mouth confession is made….” Thus, whatever you want to obtain from God, if it’s His will, you can receive it by confession. With joyful expectation declare, “God’s favor is following me. I’m expecting great things to happen. I can overcome, and God is with me, and I will succeed.”
Expect God to hear and answer your prayers. “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24.
Expect to successfully overcome your challenges. “For you are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” Romans 8:37.
Expect Him to abundantly bless your life. “The Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice.” Deuteronomy 16:15.
And expect God to bring you the right people, opportunities and circumstances to bless your future. “All things will work together for your good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.
God is good and just, and He is getting ready to take you to a new level of blessings in unique and exciting ways. Joy is strength. So, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11.
Spread joy and make somebody else’s day brighter. Challenge the status quo, imagine the possibilities, set a new goal, and take on a hobby that you’ve always wanted to try. Keep active. Go outside in God’s nature. And take special care of your health.
You can accomplish your dreams. So pursue what you love. There is no better time than NOW.
With each passing year, time seems to speed up. Our days are too valuable to waste another second thinking about ‘regrets,’ ‘resentments,’ and the ‘what ifs.’
A mother of three that I know keeps a genuine Jerusalem Stone on her desk. Engraved on the stone is just one word; “Today.” She says that reading the word, “Today” helps her to use her minutes wisely. Also, it makes her realize that she doesn’t have time to be discouraged about the past or worried about tomorrow. Each day, she finds something for which to celebrate. And with gratitude, she lives for ‘Today.’
God has blessed us in so many ways. So, let’s stop for a moment to appreciate them all. By doing so, it can pave the way for God to continue to work miracles. Day by day, keep your eyes on Him, and you will see God’s amazing handiwork… you’ll live a life of joy, peace and victory.