Yesterday, I mentioned my desire to rejoice in the Lord. I tend to think of the word rejoice as such a casual term. When I read Philippians 4:4, I understand the need for joy in the Lord. However, when I mention joy, I usually separate happiness from it. In other words, I don’t feel happy, but I can surely still find joy in the Lord. I can appreciate the richness of his life working in me and others. I can find gratitude if I sit down and write a list and feel inner joy while doing so. Writing out a list of gratitudes does help,
However, when I look up the dictionary meaning of “rejoice,” I feel I need extra help when the days are cloudy, cold, and miserable. Some of you find happiness in winter, but I must fight for it yearly. Is there anyone else like me out there? I’m a spring and summer gal!
Merriam-Webster.com defines rejoice as
To give joy to: gladden
or to feel joy or great delight.
Vocabulary.com states it this way:
To rejoice is to be incredibly happy, or to express your incredible happiness. If you just won millions in the lottery, you might rejoice by screaming at the top of your lungs.
When you rejoice, you celebrate or feel extreme happiness.
I must ask myself: Do I feel extremely happy with the Lord? How thrilled am I really about Him? Am I as elated as when my son and daughter-in-law announced they were expecting our first grandchild? Am I as excited as when our mortgage was paid off? Am I even as happy as when the sun comes out, and I can freely walk without a jacket?
In the dead of winter, I struggle to find general happiness. Never mind feeling EXTREME happiness. Fighting chronic illness includes depression. I don’t choose to be unhappy. But these scriptures encourage me to be VERY happy!
Here are some ways that, from experience, help my heart and mind once more find pleasure in the Lord. They are practical areas I need to continue to work on and pull out like an arsenal against apathy, burnout, and a despondent heart.
- To state the obvious: spend time with Him. I make an effort to dig into the scriptures. Simply reading scriptures and asking the Lord to show you essential thoughts to meditate on will make a world of difference in how you eventually feel about Him. Find a good study Bible or study resource. I enjoy the James Method Study journals or looking through the keywords in my Key Word Study Bible. When I do so, I discover treasures that warm my heart. Focus specifically on his love and what he did for you by sending Jesus to pay for your sins. We can slip into taking such an incredible miracle for granted!
- When tired, nap or rest with a hot Epsom salt bath. If possible, take a walk to get that blood flowing. Not to sound unspiritual, but I believe what we do with our bodies affects our spirits. Don’t ignore caring for the body God created for you to use here!
- Limit sugary snacks. Eat healthier foods. Say no to drugs and alcohol. Do everything you can to make sure nothing is dulling your senses for the good life God has given you.
- Make that gratitude list. Specifically, go over the past year and let your mind remember the good things. Ask yourself questions like: Where did I see God working in my life this year? What prayers did I see answered? What celebrations did we have that were enjoyable? Ask the Lord to remind you if you are struggling to remember. If you want to think more simply, look over your day. Where do you see God working in your life? Are you paying attention to these things and thanking him? Do you have your eyes open to the goodness of God around you or are you more focused on what you feel unhappy over?
- Read quality books that draw you to the Lord, not away from him. What we feed our minds makes a difference in our moods.
- Watch your speech. Do you tend to be pessimistic or optimistic? Being positive encourages the mind to see the good the Lord gives us rather than mulling over the unfavorable circumstances.
- Perhaps bravely ask a love one to tell you how your speech has been lately. Do you come across as encouraging or more critical? A critical spirit struggles to find joy in the Lord!
- Worship with music. Turn on some quality worship music and sing along. Open up a hymn book and sing. Play an instrument. Make up your own words. Whatever helps you worship in song, please do it!
- Worship in prayer.
- Pray out loud
- Pray through some Psalms
- Tell the Lord how you feel about Him. If it helps, write out a love letter. List the things you love about Him and tell Him!
- This is a big one: Let the Lord probe your heart. What sin may be coming between you and He? Sin leads to distraction and shame, causing us to pull away from Him rather than take pleasure in Him. Consider any unforgiveness toward Him and others which greatly affects how we feel about Him.
- Think about what caused you pleasure in the Lord before and do those things.
Im working on several of these ideas this week. I choose to do at least one of the above today for the body and one for the spirit. Join me? And if you have any other ideas, let me know!