Tuesday I wrote how in order to be more joyful we need to pin-point those areas in our lives that make us most joyful and continually expound on them. Well, even in the midst of joy it can seem as though we are being “brought back to earth” so to speak.
You know what I’m talking about. Everything is going great. Our careers are running smoothly, family life is harmonious and uplifting, opportunities come knocking that we never expected. Life is blissful. And then…
We trip.
We tell ourselves it’s too good to last. Surely it’s not fair that I’m so happy and blessed when it seems others around me are so unhappy. We tell ourselves that maybe we don’t deserve to be this happy. After all, we did eat that extra cookie and skimp on miles during our weekly runs (oops, is that just me?). Or maybe the laundry didn’t get folded. You forgot to swing by the bank on your way home from work. The dog needs a bath. We say, “God, surely you didn’t mean for me to be this happy. Look at everything else I’m not doing!”
And that’s when Our Father gently sits us down and says to our hearts:
My child, you are focusing on all that you have not done. You’re creating your own downward spiral of unhappiness. Look to Me and all the blessings in your life, you can not help but to be joyful. For like attracts like. Let your joy multiply unto itself.
It’s okay to be joyful. We were created in His image and likeness so we could display his joy through our lives. We need not worry about those little slip ups during the day. They don’t need to turn into black holes of unworthiness and unhappiness. No, we can hold onto our joy. When you have your moments and trials amidst your joyful journey, remember this:
“He shall give his angels charge concerning you: and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone.” Matt 4:6
Be joyful, friends!
Courtney