Heart And HustleSample

OUTCOMES OF THE HEART

Joy

When was the last time you had a deep belly laugh? You know, the kind where your whole body shook and laughter erupted uncontrollably? Maybe it’s been a while for you. Maybe way too long. Sometimes life is no laughing matter. And we all have a tendency to take it too seriously. Babies can chuckle/laugh up to 300 times a day, whereas most teenagers and adults barely make it to 20 times on a good day. Have we lost our inner joy?

Have you ever wondered if Jesus laughed? Sort of an odd question, I know. But we often see Him as so serious that for many people it’s hard to picture Jesus laughing. However, I see Jesus as a joy-bringer, someone who must have laughed. I picture Him chuckling with His disciples, smiling and laughing as He took infants into His arms and cradled children on His lap. Not like some kind of fake jokester, but as a reflection of the freedom that living a Spirit-filled life can bring to us. 

Even though “joy” and “troubles” sound like contradictions, be confident that there is a purpose to your problems. Christ gives us much to be thankful for and the more we are thankful, the more joy we find in the little everyday things.

Goal:

Find the joy in knowing that no matter what today or tomorrow holds, God’s got you covered. Ask God to help you see every opportunity, even difficult circumstances, as an opportunity for joy.