It can be easy to get stuck in thoughts and practices that have worked for us through a certain period of life. But one size doesn’t fit all.
As life changes, we need to be able to recognise the need for our thinking to change. Adjusting to the needs of each season is important to keep growing.
For a long time I have sojourned through a variety of thoughts and practices that have helped me survive that part of my life. But as I come out of that, I’ve noticed what once benefitted me has slowly become a hindrance. It would be unhealthy to stay in that place.
Considering what needs to change is an important path to cut.
I’ve been focused for a long time on survival. But a life always lived in survival creates barriers. For a time those barriers are necessary, but if you live that way for too long, those barriers that once protected you can become a prison. A life always lived in survival is not thriving. Life continues to change, especially if you seek it. So, it’s a wonderful day when you recognise you don’t have to just survive anymore. You can take the most positive view possible, which might be different to the view you've previously taken out of necessity.
You can start breaking out of that cocoon. It can be an effort to get out of that safety net, and it takes some deliberate manoeuvring. It might feel like just another fight. But it isn’t. This time, the fight is for you to find your wings, reflect as your wings begin to unfurl and dry, while you take stock of what that means, and prepare to fly.
One way God’s been speaking to me about changing my survival habits is to celebrate joy. Spend time being cognizant and reflectively joyful.
Celebrate joy in the big and the little, the moments and a new direction.
Celebrate joy in what I have.
Celebrate joy in the community of people around me.
Celebrate joy in my friendships.
Celebrate connections and places of belonging.
Celebrate joy in the meaningful conversations that take place in my life each day.
Celebrate joy in the knowledge that I bring meaning to other people’s lives.
Celebrate joy in what God has brought me and my family through.
Celebrate joy in God’s faithfulness and graciousness, in allowing me to grow slowly so that I can grasp what I’ve learnt and pass it on.
Celebrate joy in how God has helped, sourced, directed, engaged, placed, and fit everything together and kept leading me forward, even though I haven't always seen it as it happened.
Celebrate joy in God’s good nature, His mercy, His favour, and His appointments.
Celebrate joy in the grace that others show to me, because I need it.
Celebrate joy in extending myself graciously to others, because they need it.
Celebrate joy in the sight of forgiveness given and received over slights and troubles.
Celebrate joy in health and the ability to be happy.
Celebrate joy in my gifts and talents.
Celebrate joy in the small moments of delight.
Celebrate joy in the challenges that I deal with well.
Celebrate joy because joyfulness is the strength of Jesus.
Celebrate joy because celebration is the acknowledgment of what is good in any situation.
Celebrating joy is more than gratitude. It’s an openness to embrace the more of what God has, reaching past our natural limitations, to receive His grace.
Celebrate joy with me today.
John 16:24 (NIV)
Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
Romans 15:13 (BLB)
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, for you to abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 17:22 (AMP)
A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Nehemiah 8:10 (GWT)
Don't be sad because the joy you have in the LORD is your strength."
Psalm 28:7 (NLT)
The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
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