James 1:17-18 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
I’ll be honest, as I preach about finding joy in the everyday and triumphing through trials, I’m preaching to myself. As I preach James, I wrote at the top of my daily to-do list “Find joy” and it’s not one I’m ever going to cross off because I’m continuing in this pursuit daily.
Along with this, I’ve started scheduling weekly hikes with the Lord where I turn my phone off, listen to Him and recount all the reasons to be joyful. Last week, I just started audibly listing reasons why I can be joyful, and the hike took several hours.
This week, I talked to God about trials I’m going through, and frustrations I have, and I came away from it unburdened. The Lord gave me wisdom, increased my joy, and showed me patterns in my own life where I’m living in the flesh and need to change so I can live in the fullness of the Spirit, freedom, and joy.
I would encourage you to do the same. It may not be a hike and you may not have several hours to dedicate to it, but a set amount of time with the Lord each week is important nourishment for your soul. You will never be the same and will leave this time changed for the better and with an increased joy for your future.
Schedule time this week to spend time with Jesus and recount all the reasons to have joy.
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