Finding Joy in life

Hey everyone, I know it’s been a while since I posted on here. The reason behind it is honestly because life has been a rollercoaster recently with different things happening in my life and my family’s life. Some of which I’ll be sharing.

The biggest thing that’s happened recently is my cat Jack who I’ve had since I was ten years old passed away on Christmas and while that has been hard, but I know with the support of friends and family and most importantly Christ I’ll be okay. I’ve also had family members that have had health issues along with my own health issues that I’ve been dealing with.

 The reason behind sharing this is because while life can be crazy it can also be wonderful to the point that you just don’t know how to explain it. Take this past summer for example, amid all the craziness I was able to go to see Lauren Daigle in concert with a good friend of mine and that’s honestly something I’ll never forget and if you ever get the chance to see her in person. Do it!  

Maybe this past year has been crazy for you as well, I just want to encourage and challenge you to really dive into God’s word and just soak in what he has to say to you. One of my new years resolutions is to do more self-development which includes a few different things the two biggest things for me is to read my bible more but also be more selective on the music that I listen to and also the things I read both on social media and books.

1 Peter 1:13 (ESV) says;” Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” The things you read, whether it be articles, books, social media posts anything honestly can have an impact on your mental and spiritual health.  Mental health because if your mindset is negative all the time then you’ll be depressed all the time which is where your spiritual health comes into play. When you focus on Christ and all the wonderful things that are happening in your life then that’s how you can find joy in life.

For this next part I want you to get a notebook or if you’re like me make a word document or whichever is easiest for you to think about and remember this exercise, I’m going to have you do. Are you ready? If you are then I want, you to write or type at least four things that have happened this past year that you’re happy about. Then write or type areas that you’ve improved in this past year.

The reason I had you do this exercise is because often we forget that there’s always joy in life and it’s easy to forget that sometimes. Take Daniel from the bible for example, he was thrown into the lion’s den for praying to God. To me that’s crazy to even think about but unfortunately is something that happens. What do you think you would do if you were in Daniel’s shoes? For me and maybe for you I honestly would keep praising God even in the midst of being thrown into the lion’s den.

This is Daniels and the King’s to being thrown into the lion’s den: Daniel 6:19-22 (NIV) says; ‘At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!”  Then the King responded by doing this. Daniel 6:23-24 (NIV) says;” ‘The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.” I recommend you read all of Daniel 6 because the whole story is full of being faithful and persevering through the hard times which can be hard but it’s up to you to decide if what you go through makes you stronger or makes you weaker. That’s something that Christ has taught me time and time again through things that I’ve gone through and what I’ve seen others close to me go through.

Because if you let him Satan will make you weaker but through Christ all of us are strong! Which is honestly why I love singing and dancing because it makes me feel closer to Christ and music has always been my go-to since I was seven because that’s how I came to Christ, and it got me through being bullied because of stuttering and having trouble breathing along with simple things like tying my shoes.  Maybe you’ve gone through or are going through some of the things that I’ve gone through or something that is unbearably hard. I just want to encourage you that 1. Christ is always there and so you’re never alone and 2. That in life there are seasons just like fall, winter, spring and summer this too shall pass you just need to have courage and know that God has a plan for you in the midst of the craziness.

As I close, I just want to challenge you to find the joy in life no matter what it is and know that God is always there for you. If you ever want to talk, have any prayer requests, have any questions about this blog post, or anything else you can always message me on my Facebook page faithful and email me at Homeschoolgradblog@gmail.com. Thanks for reading!