Bible Study & Devotional Day 282
Choose Joy
By contributing writer: Robin Lambert
You can choose to be strong, or you can choose to be joyful. You can’t do both. When you are willing to choose joy, strength will follow. You can decide to focus on the disappointments, the betrayals, the losses, the afflictions, the abuse, or you can desire to direct your attention to the joy in the Lord.
This joy can only come from Him after spending much time in His presence.
There is a difference between happiness and joy.
Joy is something that defies circumstances and occurs despite difficult situations. Whereas happiness is a feeling, joy is an attitude, a posture, a position, a place.
Joy is that deep confidence that God is in control of every area of your life. Joy is the settled assurance that everything will be alright and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.
Happiness is something you experience for a moment
and is often short lived.
Joy is eternal. It comes only as you walk in the Spirit and praise as you see Christ’s life lived through you.
Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional. You cannot avoid pain, but you can avoid joy. God has given you such immense freedom that He will allow you to be as miserable as you want.
It’s good to talk about the hard things and the pain because in the process, you can purpose to choose joy by fixing your heart on God, Who reveals Himself, His grace, and His mercy during the pain. What you learn in your pain will become some of your greatest blessings. You could never learn these things while in your comfort and the calm periods of your life.
God will bring you from a place of disappointment to a place of absolute joy.
Choose joy.
Don’t wait for things to get easier, simpler, better. Life will always be complicated. Learn to be joyful right now. Otherwise, you will run out of time. You can’t often choose your circumstances, but you can control your reactions and emotions. Choose joy.
This devotional was submitted by Robin Lambert, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan
Sunday, October 9, 2022
Jeremiah 12:1-14:10, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8, Psalm 79:1-13, Proverbs 24:30-34
Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan
Connect with Robin Lambert at Oily Life
Robin is a California native and a SW Virginia resident who is a wife, mother, grandmother, Young Living Essential Oils representative and founder of Emotionally Messy Friends. The Church is full of women who desire a deeper walk with Christ. Their lives may be a mess, but God doesn’t want to keep them that way!
