6 Sure-fire Ways to Grab Hold of Real Joy

Thanksgiving Day is a wrap. Now we press onward to the joy of Christmas. 

But in reflection on how I move from one holiday to the next, I asked myself a few questions. Am I placing a check mark beside gratitude on some proverbial good list? Then leaving it in the dust of my tracks while celebrating Christmas? 

Sometimes.

So, this year I plan to wed an attitude of gratitude to one of rejoicing. 

Celebrating appeals to most of us. Yet, real joyfulness is often the end result of God’s faithful promises. And it’s…

~ Ammunition for difficult circumstances and people. 

~ The best medicine for a downcast spirit. 

~ A shield against attacks from the enemy. 

Let’s look at it in a broader sense.

Not just what we believe and know, but also how it manifests in our lives—how we live joy.

Unlike images, there’s not a filter for joyful. Instead, it lies beneath the surface and radiates through. God wants to bring a smile back to our face. But more than that. He wants to bring rejoicing back to our soul.

Unlike images, there's not a filter for joyful. Instead, it lies beneath the surface and radiates through. Share on X

I love powerful refrains in certain songs and poems. After each of our points, repeat the refrain I include out loud.

6 Sure-fire Ways to Grab Hold of Real Joy:

1.)  In salvation.

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:12

“My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.” Psalm 71:23

Is my joy showing through? 

Because there’s no filter for joyful. 

And it’s never shaken or taken.

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Redefining Strong: 3 Ways Weakness Equals Strength

“How strong are you?”

I used to ask my children this when they were young. They answered in the cute way of showing off their little biceps.

But on my own journey from child to adult, I learned culture’s definition of what makes a person strong. And how weakness comes in many shapes and sizes, like in these examples.

~ Weight lifting proved my arms lacked physical strength.

~ Low self-esteem, anxiety or discouragement labeled me a weak soul.

~ Failure to excel in a class, understand a concept at work, or carry strong opinions, defined me as weak-minded.

Culture teaches us to stay strong and overcome weakness because it just isn’t pretty. Yet, in God’s Kingdom, weakness takes on a whole new meaning.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10b ESV)

Paul’s visions and thorn in the flesh in Chapter 12, kept him from boasting in himself. He had endured many hardships and persecutions. Still, he learned his strength was found in his weakness.

While culture looks down on weakness, God’s people look to Him for strength. #blog #strength Share on X

What Culture Says, What God Says

Culture tells us to strive for independence. God says, Depend on Me.

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A Letter of Thanks: Dear Veteran and Dear God

A Letter of Thanks

Dear Veteran,

Soon, we celebrate something important in history. It’s significant. It’s you.

Void of your presence, we the people, would be despairingly weak and open to continued attacks by our enemies.

You see, we need you. We believe in you. We are proud to deem you worthy of our respect.

To warriors who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who remain. Those who are wounded in body and spirit. You epitomize bravery in our eyes.

Soldiers valiant in honor and duty. Serving in war and peace. Our fellow countrymen, our veterans.

Hand on chest or in salutation, we raise our voice to echo your voice:

America, the land of the free and home of the brave.*  

But freedom comes with a price. Bloodshed of brave men and women. The ones who courageously fought to purchase our freedom, slain for liberty and justice.

To veterans everywhere and of all time, we humbly thank you.

Forever grateful,

Citizens of a great nation

Dear Veteran, Soldier valiant in honor and duty. Serving in war and peace. You epitomize bravery in our eyes. Forever grateful, Citizens of a great nation #veteran #thanks #blog Share on X

A Letter of Thanks 

Dear God,

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How Christmas Peace is Possible

Are you looking for Christmas peace this year? Well, you’re in for a blessing and powerful message from my friend, Sarah Geringer.

And at the end, I disclose details of how to enter a giveaway for Sarah’s devotional.

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The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NIV

Is Christmas Peace Possible?

Christmas peace is possible. But it is only possible with Jesus.

That might be hard for a busy woman like you to understand, even if you are a Jesus follower. Which of us hasn’t been bogged down with anxiety, frustration or stress in the past few Christmas seasons? Who doesn’t have a holiday to-do list that’s already a mile long?

Like Martha in Luke 10, we are distracted by all the preparations:

• decorating our homes
• shopping for groceries and gifts
• baking and cooking special food
• wrapping all the gifts
• cleaning all the extra messes

Looking at that list makes my heart race—but I’ve plodded through that list every year I’ve been a mom.

Like Martha, I have been worried and upset about how much work is to be done in preparation for Christmas. I wanted picture-perfect memories of Christmas with my family. For many years, my peace got lost in the pursuit of perfection.

Christmas peace is possible. But it is only possible with Jesus. Find out how. #blog #devotional #giveaway @SarahGeringer Share on X

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