Are you having one of those days? Like your head is in a cloud, your heart is in a funk, and you just can’t shake it? It’s not like anything has or hasn’t happened. You’re just…blah.
It’s hard to obey the command to be joyful when you just don’t feel like it and for the life of you you can’t figure out why.
Here are some things that might be sapping your joy:
- Bitterness
“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, any bu it many become defiled.” – Hebrews 12:15
Are you clinging onto some kind of hurt? Are unforgiveness or criticalness stewing in your heart? Has something happened and you just plain refuse to let it go?
- Envy
“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”
Is there someone that you envy? You find yourself desiring the things, the opportunities, or the life that they have? Are you struggling thinking that things would turn around if you just had what they have?
- Discontentment
“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment…” – 1 Timothy 6:10
Are you holding out, waiting for something better to come along? Do you keep thinking that if you had a certain thing, you would be happy? Or that if circumstances were different, you would feel better?
-Discouragement
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.” – John 14:1
Has hopelessness settled into your spirit? Is something going on and you’re doubting it will ever get better? Do you feel like you keep trying and not succeeding and you want to give up? Are your faith and hope in yourself and what you can see?
Joy is a promise from God. Unconditional. Unfailing. Unbelievable. Never let joylessness become an option.
Question: When or where do you find joy seeping out of you? Do you recognize triggers? What are some Bible verses you can cling to that help you cling to joy?
Crystal Mazzuca
