Hello, there! I’m back! I’ve missed being part of this space the last couple months, and I’m excited to join you all again. My family and I have successfully and safely moved across the country, and seen God’s gracious provision for our family every step of the way. Rather than tell the stories all over again, feel free to check out my personal blog to get caught up. . .after you read this post, of course. {wink, wink}. So how do we start searching for joy?
It was raining. . .again. Not the kind of rain that feels like someone is pouring bucketfuls of water from the sky, but a misting rain that would play for a while and then suddenly disappear. . . only to tease you by coming back again when you were least expecting it. My four-year-old looked out the window, and said, “Mom, let’s go down to the creek! We could watch the rain splash into the water and then we could throw rocks on top of the splashes!” Since it was a bit of a chilly day, I persuaded him and his little brother (who had joined in with a pleading “Go cweek, Mama! Thow wocks!”) that it would be better to put on our rain boots and enjoy the puddles a little closer to the house.
As we played outside that morning, I was struck with this thought. Jordan could’ve looked out the window at the rain and been sad that it would mess up his day; instead, he looked at the rain for its possibilities. Maybe he couldn’t go out and roll around in the grass, but he could sure splash around in the puddles!
Searching for Joy
How are we looking at life right now? Are we so busy looking at the foreboding rainclouds that we forget that joy can still be found in the puddles the rainclouds bring?
I’ve been reminded before, during a time of testing, by a friend to “Fight for joy.” What a word picture that is! You may be in a tough season of life right now, but in the midst of life’s trials, one can always be looking, searching, fighting for the bright spot of joy.
Maybe you’re the little family that has recently gone through a big transition. . .everything is different. Will you choose to long for what you gave up to follow your dream, or will you choose to look at life with the excitement that starting over brings?
Maybe you’re the Mama who has recently become single, whose dreams of a long, happy marriage to the love of her life have been shattered, and her children’s lives changed forever. Will you choose to dwell on all you have lost, or will you choose to look for joy despite the ache in your heart that says life wasn’t supposed to be this way?
Maybe you’re the wife praying desperately that your husband will get a job. . . .yesterday would be great. . . Will you choose to dwell on each “no” that comes from interview after interview, or will you choose to look for joy and be the encourager you husband needs?
What is the answer for these. . .and for all of us? “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Fight, my friends, fight for joy. When we are in the midst of the worst trials of our life, that is an opportunity to glorify God by choosing to rest in Him and wait patiently for Him.
For me (and you, too, I am sure) finding joy begins in my mind. Am I choosing to think about the negative things in my life, or am I choosing in stead to fill my heart and mind with Scripture and with hope that comes from Him? I truly want to enjoy my God-given life; so if I am going to do that, I must continually be focusing my mind on my gracious God and the good things he has given me.
Choosing to fight for joy is one reason I post so many happy photos on Facebook and Instagram. Going through my day looking for one beautiful thing to photograph and/or one fun memory to capture helps keep me focused on the positive side of life. I am sure there are those who would look at my social media profiles and say that I am hypocritical for posting mostly the good things and leaving out the bad things. But, I would have to say back to them, that I am choosing to highlight the good and lovely things in my life because God’s Word says to “Think on things that are true, just, lovely, of good report. . .”
Now, looking for the good things, things to be grateful for, may look different for you. Perhaps you would rather write about it, perhaps you would rather draw or paint a beautiful memory from the day, or perhaps you would rather make something beautiful with your hands. However that may work out for you, make sure you are choosing to set your mind on things above, focusing on the greatness of your God displayed through the everyday beauties we see all around us. And, if you do so, you will be a long way down the road to winning the fight for joy.
~ Written by Amy @ JerAmy
originally published 2013
Wonderful, encouraging words! And I agree about sharing all the happy photos on social media – yes, there’s the ugly in our days too, but why not choose to fight for joy? “Fight, my friends, fight for joy. When we are in the midst of the worst trials of our life, that is an opportunity to glorify God by choosing to rest in Him and wait patiently for Him.” Thank you Amy.
Amen, Amy! =)