In this day and age it is easy to get caught up in our circumstances and the state of the world and be dismayed at all around us. On my spiritual journey I have gotten caught up in the world and have been depressed and joyless. But that is not how Jesus wants us to live: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1Thessalonians 5:16-18
I had to get to a place of desperation to choose another way of living; to live in a joyful state of mind and heart. Accepting that I was a child of God, that I wasn’t my circumstances or upbringing or what other people thought of me, This was was an important first step. Learning that what I thought was a choice was another key ingredient. Learning to meditate to quiet the mind, reading scripture and other spiritual material, making gratitude lists, praying and learning to walk with Jesus are all tools that help me keep my mind on what is holy, thereby giving me a chance to have joy.
Understanding that the integration of the four aspects of ourselves; mind, body, spirit, and emotions; is key to becoming a whole person helps us in choosing joy as our way of life. Understanding that the mind is what sets off the emotions that our body interprets to produce hormones and chemicals so as to carry out what we think and feel into action. In other words junk in creates junk but receiving from the Lord creates a spirit of joy.
“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24. So we ask and we pray to walk the path that Jesus
has set before us so that a spirit of joy may fill our soul in every circumstance.
As Mother Theresa said, “Joy is a net of Love that captures souls.” It is the mission Jesus’ has given me to teach God’s Love. It is therefore, my choice to be joyful; to be the light and radiate love.
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