Joy.
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11
Joy is not just an emotion, as love is not just as emotion. In the quote above, Jesus is telling his disciples (that’s us too!) that joy is found in obeying His commandments, so that we abide in His love, just as He abides in God’s love. To the Christian, it is a choice we can make every day. You can start each day full of joy, obidience, and thankfulness, or you can start each day full of contempt. Just as you can choose to love your husband and family on a bad day with actions, you can bring joy into your home on a bad day and brighten it with your smile.
You have that power.
Joy is a gift from God, and as I’m posting this around the Christmas season, I’m reminded of the unspeakable joy of Christ.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10
That, my friends, is enough reason to wake up joyful. That is enough reason to spread the love of Christ and the joy we find in our Salvation through Christ to our families, and most importantly our husbands.
Every day there is something to be thankful for. There is a reason to be joyful. Did your husband come home grumpy and snarky from work? Be joyful that he came home at all. Be joyful that he isn’t out in a sinful place, but there with you at the end of his day. Be joyful that he has a job. Be joyful that he is working to support you and the family. Be joyful that this mood will pass, and your smiling face and understanding words can help.
Did your kids stay up all night crying and you didn’t get any sleep? Be joyful that they cry out for you, because you’re their caretaker, their safe place, and the loving embrace that they trust. Be thankful that you have children, because they are an inheiritance from the Lord. A gift from the Lord. What would you do without them? God is giving you a reason for joy just by letting you be these babies Mama, by intrusting you with them.
The enemy can put a thousand bad situations in front of you, but you can look to God, count your blessings, and be joyful in any circumstance. That is what God asks of us. That is Christ dwelling within us.
I relate joy with thankfulness. That’s how I choose to show God how thankfuk I am for all He has given me. We are commanded to be thankful in all circumstances. Through the highs and lows of life.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
This week, make a point to be joyful, even when you don’t feel like it. Those moments when you have the choice of choosing God’s way or your self, choose God. Shine the joy of Christ into your home.
God bless you all and I hope you have a Merry Christmas season!