Two-minute read.
“Joy. I wished you’d show more joy.”
Reading “The Next Conversation” by Jefferson Fisher, to have productive dialogue, he says you must first know how people perceive you. To understand how others perceive you, he suggests asking five questions to a trusted family member or friend for feedback. When I asked Ron what emotion he wishes I would show more, he said joy.
Surprised by my husband’s answer, I feel a deep joy and gratitude for God’s blessings every day. However, according to Ron, he doesn’t see the joy as much as I feel it. Joyful people overflow with happiness; their faces reflect their inner joy. Broken hearts crush the spirit and leave our outward faces downtrodden.
Thankfully, Ron didn’t think I had a crushed spirit; he just wanted to see more of my joy. To accomplish that goal, I must relinquish my anxieties to the Savior and trust Him with my fears. Joy comes from the Lord, and through it, He gives us strength. As we relax into Christ’s arms and receive the gifts of grace and mercy He offers, we can release our worries to Him and enjoy the benefits of a life submitted to Jesus.
As an author, I lug books around. Small, heavy boxes require physical exertion to carry. When I set the cardboard crates down, I feel immediate relief from the burden of carrying them. In the same way, when we lay our anxieties, fears, and worries at the foot of the cross, we immediately feel lighter. Unburdening our hearts, emptying them to the Lord, allows Him to fill them with His joy, which will become apparent on our faces.
Let go of anything that weighs you down. Give your cares to the Lord and let Him fill you with joy. Wear a happy face that starts from a joyful heart.
Journal Question:
What emotion do you wear on your face?
What burdens can you lay at the foot of the cross today?
How can you experience more joy in your life?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for giving us a way to release our burdens and fill our hearts with joy. Please let us reflect the joy of the Lord on our faces as we strive to honor and serve You.
IJNIP. Amen
