I just listened to the association of Joy and Sadness, on an audio CD yesterday. While I walked away my stress on the treadmill, these words became so uplifting during a dreary winter day. I realized, that even though I try to make all things in my family's life joyful, I had not been. Winter is a wonderful and beautiful season. In truth I would have a hard time living the fall and winter months without snow. So how was I going to make anything else joyful?
Through prayer, through faith in God, and through trust in God. God wants us to be joyful. Joy brings us strength. I'm going to put effort into every little thing I do daily, including cleaning. I've just purchased a book to read and study the Bible in 15 minutes a day. Putting this first on my priority list will, and can only, bring us a good life.
God didn't say, that what he provides and gives to us will be easy. Starting small may bring better opportunities and prosperity. He wants us to do our best. "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Romans 12:11 (NIV)
Doubt steals joy. I have a bad habit of not trusting God, and letting doubt consume me with a specific situation. I let procrastination steal my joy, and I let negative thoughts steal my joy. For example, I love to try new recipes. However, you haven't seen too many on my blog lately. I love to reinvent the recipe so it's healthier for my family. I look at projects, and let negative thoughts, and use phrases such as, "I will never be able to", "I'll never get better at" and "If I just had the time to".
Today I have started putting effort into ignoring that nasty beasts that try to steal my joy. I'm going to start living my life, and stop putting things off because I feel or think something else or someone else is keeping me from doing it.
If fact, in the last two days, we have tried 3 new recipes. One that was too similar to a recipe we already make, and therefore did not keep. I getting drawer knobs out to paint and install, I'm reading my Bible daily, I'm listening to inspirational Christian audio CD's and so much more.
Through prayer, through faith in God, and through trust in God. God wants us to be joyful. Joy brings us strength. I'm going to put effort into every little thing I do daily, including cleaning. I've just purchased a book to read and study the Bible in 15 minutes a day. Putting this first on my priority list will, and can only, bring us a good life.
God didn't say, that what he provides and gives to us will be easy. Starting small may bring better opportunities and prosperity. He wants us to do our best. "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Romans 12:11 (NIV)
Doubt steals joy. I have a bad habit of not trusting God, and letting doubt consume me with a specific situation. I let procrastination steal my joy, and I let negative thoughts steal my joy. For example, I love to try new recipes. However, you haven't seen too many on my blog lately. I love to reinvent the recipe so it's healthier for my family. I look at projects, and let negative thoughts, and use phrases such as, "I will never be able to", "I'll never get better at" and "If I just had the time to".
Today I have started putting effort into ignoring that nasty beasts that try to steal my joy. I'm going to start living my life, and stop putting things off because I feel or think something else or someone else is keeping me from doing it.
If fact, in the last two days, we have tried 3 new recipes. One that was too similar to a recipe we already make, and therefore did not keep. I getting drawer knobs out to paint and install, I'm reading my Bible daily, I'm listening to inspirational Christian audio CD's and so much more.
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