Hollywood Prayer Network On JoySample

FIND JOY IN YOUR TRIALS

“If we can just let go and trust that things will work out they way they're supposed to, without trying to control the outcome, then we can begin to enjoy the moment more fully. The joy of the freedom it brings becomes more pleasurable than the experience itself.”      Goldie Hawn    

PRAY:  Lord, it's easy to feel joy when everything is going well, but I don't know how to experience joy in the midst of severe trials. I want to feel "the joy of the Lord" all the time—despite my circumstances or the events in the world around me. I want my extreme poverty of money, emotions, or faith to well up into rich generosity in my spirit, so that I can feel joy in any and every situation. I ask that You show me how to experience Your joy all the time, and I look forward to it.    

REFLECT:  Have you thought about how difficult it is to feel joy when you're going through hard times? It's impossible without the Lord. How can you live such a Christ-like life that you can experience joy in the midst of hardship, sickness, poverty, brokenness and pain? God tells us it's possible with Him, and we all want it, so reflect on what changes you would need in your life to have more joy?    

ACT:  Assuming you have some trial in your life right now, can you define it and then choose to seek joy in the midst of it? There may be many areas of disappointment, pain, frustration, sadness or stress, but choose one and ask the Lord to help you, change you, mold you into a joyful person while dealing with that one situation. And don't get discouraged if it doesn't happen right away. You are choosing to change a life time habit by seeking joy in moments when you usually feel a negative emotion. You'll have to also give yourself permission to let go of the worry and choose to feel joy.