A Year of Joy

A Journal of Joy: Things that make me smile…

By Barbara Dahlgren

Here it is – the New Year! And I think it’s time for a change. I’ve enjoyed blogging about choices these past five years and even managed to get a book from the effort, but I’m ready for something different.  

Choosing a new theme has not been easy, though some topics were definitely no-brainers to mark off my list. I’d rather not spend the next year exploring my mood swings, pet peeves, or irritants. Although, Lord knows, I’d never run out of material. So I asked myself, “What do I really want to reflect on this year?”   

After reading Philippians 4:8, I found my answer. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever thing are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

Day after day we are bombarded with everything that’s wrong in the world. Plus, we are surrounded by personal stress, pressure, difficulties, worries, concerns, and troubles. Some of these we bring on ourselves; some we don’t. Life can be complicated. Meditating on Philippians 4:8 will not take my problems away, but may make them easier to tolerate. I think it will make my life more joyful.

So this year I will focus on joy. Now, I’m not talking about happiness. Spiritually speaking, happiness and joy are not always synonymous. Christians know that true joy comes from knowing God and having a relationship with Him. This gives our lives meaning and purpose. True joy is an attitude of the heart and spirit, present inside us.

Joy can share its space with other emotions such as sadness or shame, or even exist in the darkest and most difficult times. Hard times don’t have to take away our joy. There is joy, peace, and comfort in knowing Jesus is always with us. He will never leave or forsake us. He walks with us every step of the way. He will help us make it through. Joy helps us look beyond the current situation.

Maybe that’s why James 1:2 tells us to “count it all joy” when we have trials. It’s not telling us to laugh with glee when bad things happen. It’s telling us to look beyond circumstances. Learn what we can, do what we can, but realize this physical life is temporary. 

Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus endured being crucified because of the joy set before Him. He could see beyond what was happening. Joy can exist regardless of what is happening. All people having a relationship with Jesus Christ can have joy. Joy undergirds our spirit. Joy brings hope. Joy brings peace and contentment.

So this year my blog will be a Journal of Joy where I’ll discuss what brings me joy personally – things that make my heart smile. My hope is that these thoughts will bring you joy as well. Or perhaps they can be a catalyst for you to think about what brings you joy and motivate you to meditate on those things.  

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Lord, my joy lies in You! Help me filter everything in life through the eyes of Your love and think on what is true, noble, just, pure, virtuous, and lovely. For these are Your thoughts.

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