Prequel to Share Joy
Happy New Years Family!
Well, if you’ve been following our post, you know we started a three-part series “Joy” & you may be wondering about part three. Well, before I could share joy something happened that made me realize that sharing joy isn’t always easy. That led me to write this prequel of the events that have kept me from sharing joy with you.
After I handed part three off for final proofreading, I received some unanticipated feedback, and doubt came along with it. Maybe you’ve experienced a similar situation. You’re blessed in some way, you’ve overcome a challenge, or you are navigating difficulty. You have an opportunity to share your story and...
If you, like me, missed it, there should be a flashing yellow light going off in your head at the first sign of doubt! Especially when it comes to sharing your testimony. Why, because the first trick we see the enemy use in the Bible is doubt. (Gen. 3:1)
So with one email, I missed the flashing yellow and forgot that it does not mean speed up!
Instead, I began struggling to edit the post. I prayed for guidance, silence. I finally passed the post onto Jannie without telling her about the feedback I’d received. Her comments were positive. She mentioned one thing the proofer said and told me to let go, or I’d get stuck. I should have been encouraged, but I got stuck, I focused on her one point that matched the proofer.
I lost focus (Matt 14:30), and I sank into silence.
There are plenty of examples of good silence in the Bible. But that is not what I did. You see, God is working out an area of my life where the enemy uses silence to his advantage. And when I lost focus, I severed the connection and returned to my will/way of handling a familiar situation.
But here’s the thing. Although it looks & feels like the same situation all over again. I am not the same person I was the last time I was in this place. (And neither are you.)
Personal disclosure: doubt & silence are areas God is working on in my life. So, I have to live surrendered to Him when I encounter them. How? Well, one way is by acknowledging the truth of my situation to myself and to those I trust around me (accountability) instead of running or hiding. In faith, my surrender is to:
stay connected & draw closer to God,
turn toward the thing that scares me,
accept the consequence (and there were some) of my silence, and
get back on track moving forward
The good news is that when I surrender to God, I regain focus and His strength through the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish my task, to achieve my goal, to handle the consequences, and to share my joy with others.
Now, this may not be your exact situation, the thing that keeps you from sharing joy with others. But whatever your situation, remember the enemy is real, and he has no desire for any Christian to live surrendered, and he certainly doesn’t want us to share our joy, blessings or experiences to encourage others.
This experience reminded me that God created us to be in relationship with one another. Yes, we are better together, but we are also stronger together. Standing alone can leave us lonely and vulnerable, and that can make us an easy, unsuspecting target.
Did you know your silence can be used by the enemy as a force multiplier to disrupt not only your life but the lives and relationships around you?
I cannot promise I won’t go silent again like I said God is working on me, but I am surrendered. Living surrendered doesn’t make me immune in this area. Instead, I’ve noticed a greater awareness of that still small voice. It takes less time to recognize the pitfall, yes, even if I’m already in it. And, I refocus and return quicker.
My joy? My Father in Heaven NEVER gives up on me, or You!
So what do you need to stop running from and or face so that you can share joy? Post your comments below.
And now, here, is Part 3: Share Joy
And in case you missed them here is Part: 1 Find Joy and Part: 2 Choose Joy
Share Joy
Hello Family, Happy New Year! Whether you’re relieved the old year is over, excited about a fresh start or a little of both you have a reason to praise and a testimony to go with it. And that is a reason to share joy!
In the first two parts of our JOY series, Jannie & I shared how to Find Joy that's already inside you and reminded you that to Choose Joy you have to surrender to God's will and His plans.
But how can we share JOY?
“Fear not!” Those words the angels announced in Hebrews 2:10 were to calm the shepherds’ fear. And then, “behold” or take a minute, listen to focus. Not on the messenger or the delivery system but on the message. Can you remember your reaction the last time you received good news? No, great news. Did your attitude change? Did your outlook change? Did you share it? The good news the angels delivered was intended for all people, it was meant to be shared. And, it still needs to be shared.
So, how can we share joy amid real-life, the life behind our picture perfect FB/IG posts? I won’t pretend to have a perfect answer for you, we are all different and at different places. But what I want to share are two more practical things you can do to help you find, choose, and share joy.
#1 Share what you have and where you are with God. Just take it to Him. Yes, He already knows but this is an act of surrender on your part. Just as we had to accept Christ in our lives we also have to 1) accept God’s help, 2) acknowledge that “He can,” and 3) accept His help on His terms, 4) expect His answer but don’t lose sight of what He’s already given you to do until then.
#2 Live for God. Maybe this is just a reminder for you. If so, here’s your (and my) challenge. Keep this in the front of your mind… all day! Ahead of what your kids did that made you question their sanity or your own. Ahead of what your spouse did or didn’t do today or ever. Ahead of the neighbor situation, the political climate, your biggest disappointment, the crazy drivers, the inconsiderate person who “fill-in,” and this is important… ahead of how you “feel.” No, I’m not telling you to ignore any of it or discount how you feel.
I’m challenging you to talk to God about 1) your first response to any of it, 2) how to live through all of it, AND 3) how and when to share your story for His purpose.
#3 Share your story.
That night the angels came and shared the good news of Christ's birth and it was to bring JOY to all.
Family, as Christians we live in what happened next! After the blessing of Christ’s birth. We are living out the impact of His life, the grace of His death, and the power of His resurrection!
We have been reborn and our relationship with our Heavenly Father restored. We have been given a Helper, the Holy Spirit, and the power to accomplish or overcome things we could not do alone.
No matter what your past year or life was like... it is in your past. God is the only one that has already planned and established your future. (Jeremiah 29:11 & Ephesians 2:10) Trust Him.
We encourage you to make 2020 a year of renewed focus living for God!”
Lead with that and JOY (and everything else) will follow.
“Heavenly Father, thank you for the greatest gift I can ever receive. Thank you for sending your precious Son Jesus to live, die, and rise all to pay a debt I could never repay. Lord, thank you for bringing me to this point and not leaving me where I was. Lord, thank you for each day ahead that you have numbered for my life. Lord my joy is in you. Let me learn to choose joy and help me share joy with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen”
Choose Joy
Brothers and sisters, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we will ENDURE hard trials on this side of glory. We can expect that, but we can also expect the Holy Spirit within us to help us ENDURE just like Jesus did. Remember, no suffering on this side of glory compares to the glory and JOY revealed when we see Jesus. NOTHING:
NO SICKNESS
HEARTACHE
NO DISAPPOINTMENT
NO DEATH
On this side of glory, Jesus said to count it ALL JOY. James 1:2 (ESV) Count it all joy my brothers (and sisters) when you encounter trials of various kinds.
But how do you choose joy when your heart is heavy, you feel broken, and you can't think about tomorrow because today is all you can handle?
Surrender to God. Surrendering to God is an act of humility, it’s admitting that you can’t and acknowledging that He can.
Trust God. Trust that He has a plan for you. Trust that He wants His best for you.
Your weeping may ENDURE for a night, but JOY comes in the morning. Psalms 30:5b.
Remember God's time is not our timing, so your night might seem long. Like being married ten years before God opens your womb to bear fruit. And then you deliver your precious baby six months later, at two pounds three ounces, and with lots of complications. Yes, the night can be very long.
Mighty Savior may your joy be our strength each and every day as we commit to trusting you with ALL our heart. Your way is perfect and when you have tried us we shall come forth as pure gold, amen!!
But joy does come in the morning; there were many moments I was afraid and didn't know what would happen. Still, I held to God's unchanging hand. Now I praise Him, that two pound 3 ounce baby is 26 years old and God is doing great and mighty things in and through her life. I still have to trust Him moment by moment and even when things don't look good or feel good, I remember God is good.
Yes, you may be in a bad place or going through a hard time. Yes, your struggle IS real. But so is God and so are His promises!
To choose Joy, trust that where you are right now is not where God intends to leave you!
Cling to Him, and as you keep moving forward, watch for His blessings in your life. Stay prayerful. Keep Praising.
Family Teresa and I encourage you right this moment, "choose JOY!" Philippians 4:4, says rejoice and again I say rejoice.
Important: If you are battling depression please seek professional help. Never suffer in silence, tell someone, ask for & get help, you are not alone.
BE EQUIPPED:
5 Practical Ways to Choose Joy
Click to view & download the 4x6 printable.