Share the Joy
“Happiness is
not dependent on happenings, but on relationships in the happenings.” (Corrie
Ten Boom”)
When you are
looking for happiness or you want to spread some happiness, it’s pretty hard to
find it or share it by yourself. Even the most skillful, independent, or
liberated people have a desire to share life’s experiences with others. Think
about it! There are all kinds of moments we want to celebrate, or
accomplishments that we want to share with others in a spirit of joy and
festivity. Joy is a state of being that enters your heart when you are open to
giving happiness to others and receiving it from them too; it can’t enter a
closed, protected heart! We are created for community and to connect with
others to share our joys, goings-on, and experiences. We are all brothers and
sisters in Christ, and we all have the same needs for communion and partnership.
God wants us to accept and share with each other no matter where we are in
life, with love, patience, kindness, and joy.
…Joyfulness
…Happiness
…Cheerfulness
…Contentment
Spread the Joy
“Let us think
of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24)
True joy comes only when we are focused on walking with
the Lord and cherishing others. Our joy is contagious, and I think that we
would all agree that the more joy we spread around, the more joy that will come
back to us at the end of the day! When we are around someone who is cheerful, upbeat,
and enthusiastic, we automatically catch the mood, and as a result we feel good
too. There are times when we all need encouragement, and encouraging others on
a daily basis inspires us too. There are days when God will send us a special
person to build us up in faith and lift our spirits, and likewise there are
days that He may send us someone to encourage and enrich. Our joy serves as a witness to others of the
promises and love of God, and we should demonstrate and uplift others with the
joy that Christ has given us.
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians
5:16)
Joy focuses all of its attention on positive
and good things, and is the reward for the life that God desires for us; this indescribable
joy can easily be observed (and shared) by others!
Linking up on Spiritual Sunday and with Joan to "Share His Beauty"!
Hi Denise, This last week I found a saying that says: Joy does not bring thankfulness, thankfulness brings joy. So when I find my joy lost, I remind myself to count my blessings.
ReplyDeleteGreat post my friend
God bless
Tracy
Love it Tracy! Blessings; who can count them all....??? Thanks my dear friend..... :)
DeleteWell, you have often spread joy in the internet and in many ways uplifting many! Beautiful, uplifting words! Love hearts all round!
ReplyDeleteAw; thanks Dawn! I can certainly say the same about you! Yup; I kinda love hearts... :)
DeleteGreat post, Denise....and, so true. Thanks for being an encouraging and "joyful" presence. I appreciate your kind, sweet spirit. Blessings friend,
ReplyDeleteErin
Erin, you are such a sweet, sweet lady! You always make me smile! :) thank you dear friend...have an awesome week!
DeleteYou do spread joy Denise! I believe that true joy can only come in a personal relationship with Jesus. Life is difficult at times. I believe the world looks at those of us who claim to be Christian to see how we handle adversity. Do they see joy when life is in an upheaval? When we lose things and people, how do we react?
ReplyDeleteThese have been issues I've dealt with recently. There are times when I have been a good witness but times when I've not. I pray that His joy will be evident in my life so others will wonder and ask me where I get my joy.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Thanks sweet Debbie! You spread joy too; which manifests itself in the posts you write (and from getting to know you better)! :) I pray joy is obvious in my life too; not always easy but something to always work upon! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank-you for spreading the joy! It is the reflection of love and thankfulness. God bless you as you shine for Him in your ministry.
ReplyDeleteThanks Janet; you're words always bless me too! You are such a gifted writer! :)
DeleteOh, yes! When we focus on the Lord and walking with Him, our joy is hard to contain! Even in the midst of difficulty, when we don't feel particularly "happy", God will give us the gift of joy when we remember that He is our hope and our salvation. What a blessing it is to know Him!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joan
I love how you radiate joy too Joan; You are always such an inspiration! :) Blessings my friend!
DeleteHello Denise,
ReplyDeleteyes the joy of following Jesus and the goodness of God that comes from it - what more could a person want in this world. Amen
So thankful that He gives us joy Brenda!
DeleteHey sweet sister . . . funny, the Lord had me post about joy as well! His spirit is moving. Praying you are doing well! Always praying for you!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cherie
No surprise! I do think of you as such a sweet and joyful person Cherie; excited to hop over and read your joyful post! Blessings!
Deletethis post is so true. When I'm feeling joyful it's hard for others to not notice. It just flows from you and reach other people and they catch some of it or all of it.
ReplyDeleteI want joy all the time.
Yes! Our joy is infectious, just like other people's joy affects me. I desire it always too Peaches!
DeleteI truly believe gratitude opens so many locked doors in our hearts!! I love Ann Voskamp....this is one of her quotes from her book on the subject of joy-
ReplyDelete“Joy is the realest reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy.” ― Ann Voskamp
Blessings, Ann @ Christ in the Clouds
I love that quote by Ann also; have taken her recommendation and instruction on counting those everyday blessings, and what gratitude and joy it brings me! Thanks Ann!
DeleteDenise,
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and it is beautiful. I love the border. The colors are so pretty. I like your posting very much on relationships and I agree that we need to have a good relationship with the Lord in order to receive His joy.
This blog is an inspiration to me. I will visit this lovely blog often.
Have a blessed day.
Thanks for visiting Brenda; what a sweet blessing! I am excited to hear more from you! Blessings :)
DeleteI choose joy, too. I spoke on this title in April. I was raised by a joyful mother and it rubbed off! I hope my daughters can say the same. I do feel like contentment directly impacts our joy.
ReplyDeleteOh what an impact it has, and I believe from your inspirational posts that you must be such a woman of pure joy. I am sure it rubs off Pamela! :)
DeleteHi Denise,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Just think how much difference it would make in each of our lives if we truly applied 1 Thes. 5:16. I think all to often many people (including myself) let the circumstances we face in our lives steel our joy. You are right in saying most people desire to share life's experiences with others. Living a joyful life sure is contagious.
Blessings,
Ken
Thanks Ken! Applying 1 Thess. 5:16 to our daily lives would make such a difference (a life of gratitude and thankfulness!) not only to our own lives, but to others as well. Blessings my friend! :)
DeleteDenise, you are always a source of joy for others! The joy of the Lord always comes through in your posts as well as the comments you leave on people's blogs!
ReplyDelete~God bless you, my friend~ Lisa
You are such a sweet blessing to me as well Lisa! I have enjoyed getting to know you better; our friendship has brought amazing joy! :)
ReplyDeleteDenise, thank you for sharing words of encouragement. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteHey Denise...joy...love that..joy to run in ways that make a difference....And I agree with the others. You totally are someone who promotes joy....from your posts here to comments on my blog...you rock. You totally rock!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah! You always bring joy to me too sister! Blessings... :)
DeleteDank je wel/thank you Denise. I am often glad with your blog. But sometimes its a struggle to focuses on positive and good things. I try :-)
ReplyDelete