Choose Joy

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and continue to choose it every day.” Henri Nouwen

I hope your weekend was lovely as we ease into August! I spent some time preparing for a birthday dinner on Friday and Saturday. It’s incredible how much you can accomplish when you’re under a fun deadline. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of cooking and preparing, and was able to fully appreciate the time spent with friends and family yesterday. It’s one of the ways I unwind, as it brings me joy to see the people I love enjoying food I’ve prepared, which is also a mindful activity for me. It’s a win-win in my book!

And joy, I’ve come to understand, is a choice. It’s not always an easy choice, and sometimes circumstances make it very difficult to be joyful. However, often we can find happiness when we look for it.

It’s like deciding about how we approach the day every morning. We can open our eyes and complain that we have to get up and do things we may not want to do, facing the day with a negative attitude before we even get out of bed. We choose to be grumpy. We set the tone for the events of the day, expecting things to go wrong and not to have a good time.

Alternatively, we can start the morning on a positive note as we prepare for the day. We can get out of bed, set realistic expectations for the day’s events, put a smile on our faces, and aim to make the day memorable. That’s choosing joy, and it’s not only enjoyable but also contagious.

Some of you may recognize the name Henri Nouwen. He was a Dutch Catholic priest from the Netherlands, a prolific writer, and a scholar who explored the connection between psychology and spirituality, illustrating how they come together to promote community and social justice. I’ll share some of his thoughts on joy:

It’s no surprise that Henri Nouwen is another one of my favorite writers. Those who know me will recall my mission to help people see the connection between spirituality and therapy as a way to achieve more comprehensive healing. I get very excited when I see people work through their issues and concerns, then realize how much more complete their recovery can be with intentional focus on their faith. It is, in many cases, miraculous.

Now, before you ask, yes, God can heal without therapy. He’s God; He can do whatever He wants. However, we’re human and sometimes get caught up in our own thoughts. As we process in real time and search for meaning, which we were created to do, we tend to overthink and get in our own way. Sometimes, we need the help of a trained, licensed therapist or counselor to help open our minds to possibilities that we can’t reach on our own. We need to choose to seek help and then combine our faith as we realize healing is within reach.

Joy’s a lot like that. Sometimes, we need to open our minds to the positive so that we can find happiness, regardless of the situation we find ourselves in. Like counseling, joy is a choice that puts us in a position to receive.

There are almost 200 references to joy in the Bible. Here are some verses to consider:

“I know also, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness and integrity. In the uprightness of my heart, I have willingly offered all these things. So now with joy I have seen Your people who are present here, make their offerings willingly and freely to You.” 1 Chronicles 29:17 (AMP)

“‘Go, eat rich food, and drink something sweet,’ he said to them, ‘and send portions of this to any who have nothing ready! This day is holy to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy from the Lord is your strength!’” Nehemiah 8:10 (CEB)

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11 (GNT)

“And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:4 (NKJV)

Joy can be woven into the fabric of everything we do if we take the time to reflect and recognize the possibilities that surround us. There’s joy in integrity, in suffering, in life’s experiences, and in the future, we can become complete. Choosing joy can provide new insights into things that puzzle us and offer help when we need it. It’s an incredible gift we can give ourselves and share with others.

Let’s take some time this week to find joy. Maybe you’re in a dark place and not feeling it at all. If that’s the case, consider talking to someone and exploring the potential happiness that could result from improving the situation. Remember, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning,” Psalm 30:5 (NKJV), and that’s definitely something to look forward to!

Be Well & Be Blessed!

Lucinda