One critical key for finding joy
That’s why, in my devotional book Find Joy, we identified the eight elements, or keys, of finding joy, so we know what patterns to practice that will carve a path to where we want to be.
One of the crucial elements is gratitude. Not just the quick jolts as we throw up a “thank you, God!” because we finally found a parking spot (although that’s a great start!) but the deep thankfulness that we are intimately loved and cared for by the Creator of the universe—the kind of gratitude that is unrelated to our circumstances, health, parking spots, or even whether we know where our next paycheck is coming from.
We may also need to take a hard look at whether we have dug an anti-joy “gully” in our mind and must create a better path. Here’s the key question: what happens when we don’t get our way or aren’t in happy circumstances, and what are we practicing as a result? Is it gossiping and complaining to a friend or on social media? Is it exasperated eye-rolling or worried sighs? Negative chatter and a fretful heart are just us being really good at practicing the wrong thing.
When we purposely replace those reactions with a legitimate prayer of gratitude (“Thank You, God, even in this challenging situation. I know You’re in the middle of it, and I know You will bring blessing through it”), we live in true joy.
Let’s practice THAT.
I’ll be back next week with four ideas on how you can practice gratefulness in really tangible, doable ways. I can’t wait to share these simple shifts with you. They really do hold the power to retrain your brain and bless those around you.
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