Ever felt like you could use a heaping, healthy dose of JOY in your life?? Boy, I have! Recently. Today, in fact.
I've been thinking a lot about joy lately and how I can cultivate this fruit of the Spirit more fully in my life. To be honest, my joyful fruit is sometimes a little on the withered side. I hate to admit it, but it's true. Not that I don't have ample reason to rejoice, but too often I allow little things in daily life to frustrate and rob me of one of God's richest blessings- joyfulness!
In her book Created To Be His Helpmeet, Debi Pearl shares the following truth:
Thankfulness is how we think: joy is the abundance it produces.
If joy is truly the result of a thankful heart, than it only makes sense that a lack of joy is a lack of (gulp) gratitude- right?
Most of us would never consider ourselves ungrateful individuals, but how many are truly living in the "fullness of joy" that Christ promised to believers? I, for one, have some room to grow in this department!
So I am purposefully focusing today on all the blessing in my life- big and small. And for the record, here are just ten blessings (among hundreds) for which I am grateful:
1- For my salvation in Jesus Christ; without Him I could do nothing.
2- For God's grace which strengthens me daily.
3- For a Christian heritage- I am forever indebted to my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents for paving the way for future generations to follow Christ.
4- For my wonderful husband, Jeremy Howard- I have never met a man more l
4- For my wonderful husband, Jeremy Howard- I have never met a man more l
loving, selfless, or dedicated to Jesus Christ. I love you!
5- For the 3 beautiful, healthy children God has blessed us with- I am unworthy but so thankful to be your mommy!
6- For the health and protection of those who are dear to me.
7- For the daily needs of life that I have never once had to do without-food, water, warmth, a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, shoes on my feet, clothing on my body. Who am I to enjoy such luxury when so many in our world are suffering?
8- For living in a nation where I am free to serve God according to the dictates of my conscience- America is plagued with many sins and troubles but I love my country dearly. May she always remain a nation of freedom.
9- For the Word of God and my freedom to possess and read it- what a treasure lies dormant on too many a shelf!
10- For the calling God has placed on my husband's life and mine- may I never esteem it lightly.
I'll be sharing a challenge from Elisabeth Elliot in tomorrow's post... stay tuned!
And remember: a grateful attitude can keep a smile on your face and a song in your heart all day long!
sweet friends said
6 Responses to "Joy & Thankfulness"An excellent post Kristy- good food for thought~
This was so good to read. Thank you!
Blessings,
Michele :)
www.frugalgranola.blogspot.com
Beautiful! Did I ever need to hear that! I have been struggling with being just plain "grumbly" lately-and for no good reason! I know there is fullness of joy in Christ, and I will practice being thankful so as to produce abundant joy in my life! Congrats on your handsome baby boy!
It is so true. Thanks for reminding me of that good quote. Joy is such an important quality to possess for a peaceful home, and it is a huge blessing to our husbands as well!
I love this wonderful post. Thanks so much for joining Gratituesday. A thankful attitude does make such a wonderful difference in our joyful hearts!
Very, very true. Some of our friends have dealt with difficulties and tragedies this week, and it's made me much more aware of exactly how blessed we are.
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