I previously begun a series entitled, ‘The Daily Grind’. In case you missed out on the introduction, you can find it at The Daily Grind.

If you are like me and love any truth or message that can be applied ‘today’, then keep reading.

A PERSONAL TOUCH:

In the introduction I asked readers to reflect upon their daily grind. Well, here’s mine (I pulled it out of my journal notes):

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I am not enjoying my days. I enjoy some of it but not as much as I know God wants me to. My life has turned into a bland existence. I am joylessly pushing through the motions; anxious, unsettled and uncertain. I have not met my goals, I don’t have a life plan. Am scared of what the future holds. Am I making the right decisions? God, am I living right? God, something’s wrong. Why do I feel like this? Lord, I have your love, word and salvation. I have wonderful people around my life. Why do I feel like this? You said that my joy would be full; well it’s not and something’s wrong. Honestly God, exactly where in your masterpiece does this day fit? Lord, help me get to the bottom of this.

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It helps a great deal to journal my way through my feelings and struggles. It normally starts like a rant then turns into a prayer with an amen at the end. I had gotten to that point after being unsuccessful in seeking counsel from people I respect about finding joy. I didn’t get the answers I was looking for so I won’t make use any of the feedback I got from them. Why? Because I got the answer firsthand. God used my life to respond to this question. One piece of advice…..whatever question you have in this life, please run it by God. I was quick to run after believing friends when I could have just asked God about joy and how to find it. Lesson learnt!

THE THING ABOUT JOY:

I looked at joy from two different angles:

1.Joy and the will of God:

In his book, ‘The Holy Spirit’, Max Anders describes joy as a deep sense of well being that is not dependent upon favorable circumstances, but rooted in a fundamental acceptance of, and confidence in, the will of God.

Circumstances may not change, the people we love may never change, situations could get worse, sick ones in hospital may die, we may not get that big break we hope for but it’s alright. God’s will remains perfect. And how do we know God’s will for our lives? And what is our life if not the issues that confront us day by day, the schedules, the deadlines, the relationships, the bills that need to be paid, the gigantous pile of laundry, the trail of countless drafts, the daily grind? How do we know what God desires of us? Easy. The BIBLE. A 66-book library of law, narrative history, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, gospels, letters and Revelation. A book that shows us God’s heart. A book that helps us to fix our eyes on the author and perfector of our faith. A book that reminds us day in and day out that the Lord will perfect that which concerns us.

Joy happens when we shift our focus from the feelings, cares, burdens, anxieties of this world and unto Jesus. Things unseen.

So I had to challenge myself to spend more time with the word in order to be equipped with God’s will.

*Take every situation and every care to God. Research the word for scriptures for that situation. Speak life into that situation using your mouth. The word is filled with countless promises; all we need to is claim the word by faith (Hebrews 4:12). If we don’t mix the word with faith it won’t profit us.

So know God’s will through His word and believe in it, accept it and be confident in it!

2. Joy: A fruit of the Spirit:

• But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control; (Galatians 5:22)

• Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalms 51:11-12)

Our human nature is deceptive and overpowering. We were born into sin and our hearts are prone to pride, fornication, greed, selfishness, anger, bitterness and all forms of filth. (Matthew 15:19, Mark 7:21-22). Our flesh is in a constant battle to ensnare us to its own wicked and carnal entrapments. We need to guard our hearts by responding to the Holy Spirit’s conviction. We need to arm ourselves with sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:10). Each day I ask God to give me a fresh infilling of the Spirit that I may live right. David knew this when he cried out to God to renew him with a right spirit. A spirit that is steadfast. He begged God not to take his spirit from him. Imagine a life without the Holy spirit!! Tragic! We don’t have to live like that. As we allow the Lord to heal our sinful hearts, and as we ask God to fill us with His Spirit, the fruit of the spirit grows in us. Cry out everyday if you must! Pray for the Spirit to fill your heart with good seeds and be willing to allow him to water those seeds and you will produce fruit in due season.

My joy is full.

Thank you for taking your time to read this, I will be doing the next piece entitled, ‘The Daily Grind: Faithfulness’. Look out for it.

 

The sojourner.