Finding True Joy
Have you ever sat atop a mountain and reflected on Joy? How much Joy is it possible to experience? How much Joy do I have in my life?
I was gifted this opportunity and thought back to a prayer I prayed in January 2021. My life had been "upset" with pain and hardship and I was facing another overwhelming health challenge. Reflecting, I now see that the upset I was experiencing was actually a "set-up."
My "upset" began when one morning during the pandemic, I wandered woefully to the bathroom after a night of tossing and turning in discomfort and anguish. An everyday event of going to the toilet became a pivotal moment that changed the trajectory of my life. My rectum prolapsed.
Sobbing and gasping with fear and dread, I wondered why I was being tested to the limits of my life. I would ask the universe this question over and over. I may even finish with "Why me?"
As I faced the most challenging surgery of my life, I prayed for financial security. I had struggled in my life in New Zealand with times of hardship and attracting unfruitful relationships. Joy came in fleeting moments and was attached to external circumstances. When we attach the feeling of Joy to external validation and situational moments, we limit the abundance of Joy that is truly waiting for us. It becomes a state versus a trait.
The Greek word for joy is "chara," derived from "charis." Charis is the Greek word meaning grace. This tells us that Joy (chara) is produced by the Charis (Grace) of God.
Joy is not a human-based happiness that comes and goes. True joy is divine in origin, a "Fruit of the Spirit" manifested particularly in hard times.
We may feel happiness, merriment, hilarity, exuberance, excitement, or high spirits, but all these emotions are merely fleeting. Joy is a spirit-given expression; joy is lasting and based on more than simply an emotional reaction to our circumstances.
Joy is an active choice of attitude.
The answer to my prayer where I asked for financial security, was answered by me losing my Job. Confused and in even more despair I once again quashed the opportunity to feel Joy.
I quickly reminded myself that I needed to foster the mindset that the seeds of joy are often planted, waiting to bloom in the light of our resilience and faith. This season became a time when my trust and Faith heightened, and my true path was divinely unraveling.
Next time you feel deprived of joy, take a moment to be mindful of the messages you send to the universe. Take time to be quiet, sit, and appreciate nature's wonders. Is your upset really an opportunity for a set-up?
Reflecting on my journey, I recognize that joy emerged not from the absence of hardship, but through the grace that accompanied each trial. Sitting on that mountain, I realized that joy is not a destination, but a companion, guiding me through those tumultuous paths.
What if you fostered the mindset that the seeds of joy are often planted, waiting to bloom in the light of our resilience and faith.
It’s about finding joy in the present moment and recognizing that our worth is not tied to our achievements, our worth is attached to our essence. As we change our inner dialogue and priorities, we begin to attract experiences and opportunities that resonate with this elevated state of being. The Universe listens. In quiet meditation, prayer, and time sitting with the Lord, we can tap into a deeper sense of purpose and connection, fostering a life that is not just lived, but truly experienced and cherished.
So, when you face your own challenges, remember that joy is not just possible, it is inevitable when you embrace the grace that life offers.
"Your Past Does Not Define Your Future"
Frequency Alchemist ~ Pray, Believe, Never Doubt
thewellwishershaven.com
