Joy is a muscle...

....you possess,

but it needs to be exercised and broken out 

of atrophy.

notes...

woke up and leapt out of bed

played with Polly, put the kettle on

and turned on the twinkles...

meditated....prayed...

moments later continuing circumstances

come in with a mission to steal my joy..

 I turn to prayer...breathe...ground...

 feel the nudge to experience enjoyment

did a weird pivot

 turned on the music 

and danced

~

joy requires a lot of intentionality

effort & learning

you are not taught what joy is

Biblical words that paint a picture of joy:

delight

gladness

pleasure

rejoicing

happy

protect yourself from the seriousness

and negativity that seek to infiltrate your mind constantly

guard your joy

'joy is a fruit of the Spirit

a birthright for every believer'

joy is inside of you

but like anything else

it needs to be activated

you need daily intentional experiences

that enhance the joy that lives within you

you need reteaching & new experiences

to restore the innocence of pure joy in your life

discover the simple things that help you revive what it means

to enjoy again

learn to be present in every moment

break out of your comfort zone of mediocrity

to see the greater joy that is possible

your heart is malnourished

~

'As you sit quietly in My Presence your awareness of 

My life within you is heightened.

I fill you with Joy & Peace as you trust Me.

Do your best with the energy I so graciously give you.

I have called you to live right and well.

I take responsibility for you & keep you safe.

I am your intimate Friend and the lover of your soul.

Enjoy My loving Presence more and more.

The dark moments of your life will last only

so long as is necessary for Me to accomplish 

My purpose in it.

Remember My timing is perfect.

Bring every battle to Me &

remember with Me, real strength looks different.

Fight the battles on your knees.

Always remember I love you!

Worship Me joyously.'

~Jesus~

(sources: Jesus Calling, Jesus Today, Charles Stanley, Mark DeJesus)

be well...

xoxo

💕

~

"The body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter,

and the spirit heals with joy."

~unknown~

"Pause and remember: If you empty yourself of

yesterdays sorrows,

you will have much more room for today's joy's"

"Don't wait for everything to be perfect 

before you decide to enjoy your life."

~Joyce Meyer~