Joy

To be honest, the topic of joy has me a bit at a loss for words. Right know this fruit of the spirit seems the hardest to connect to in my own life and in the world. Sometimes I need to slow my own thoughts and feelings down enough to connect with my emotions and see what God might be doing underneath. So I thought instead of sharing my own ponderings-perhaps we can take some time to sit with joy and see if God brings anything to our hearts and minds. If you have a few minutes, sit on some of these questions and allow God to show you his presence in joy in your own life. 

1. Allow yourself to consider a time when you experienced joy. Perhaps give yourself permission to recognize a small moment along with any big or obvious memories that come to mind. 

2. Think about what contributed to the experience of joy in that moment. Was it certain people? Certain sensory experiences? Were there other fruits of the spirit connected to this time? 

3. See if you can practice gratitude for what allowed that moment of joy to occur. 

4. Invite God into this moment today, notice your thoughts and feelings as you do. Invite God to raise your awareness of moments of joy throughout the rest of your day and week. 

-Jaime Dunham