Joyfulness... During the Holidays?

Season 2 Episode 51 - For some, the holidays are wonderful times, filled with joy.  But for others, they are anything but joyful.

If you are one of those people who find little joy in the holidays, listen and see if the discoveries I share in this episode will be helpful.

"Reflect on This" is a once-a-week, short devotional podcast. In these devotionals, I share the things I am learning about the ways and nature of God, through applying my study of the Scriptures to life, in practical and fulfilling ways.
 
If you like the podcast, please tell your friends and family about it, and subscribe/follow it, because it helps others to find the podcast more easily (because having more followers raises the podcast higher in search results).
 
Resources that inspired some episodes:

"My Heart, Christ's Home" by Robert Munger

"The Language of Rivers and Stars" by Seth Lewis

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis

 Seth Lewis blog:  https://sethlewis.ie/

35 Bible Verses About Listening To Others (Explained) - Bible Repository 

"Restoration Year: Devotions to Transform Your Relationships, Spirit, and Faith" by John Eldredge

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
 Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers paid apprenticeships to men who need a second chance.  These apprentices learn biblical principles, character, and valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, make a donation, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free (and low-cost) resources, including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, and devotionals.  It allows you to simultaneously view verses and their corresponding cross-references, lexicon entries, commentaries, and more.
On your computer, go to e-sword.net
On your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “e-sword.” 

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all

Transcript

For some, the holidays are wonderful times, filled with joy.  But for others, they are anything but joyful.

If you are one of those people who find little joy in the holidays, perhaps the following discoveries I found awhile back will be helpful.

I was embarking on doing some “soul work” to reprogram my flesh from lapsing into self-pity, and to instead operate in godly, healthy ways (i.e., to develop a focus on others, and to have healthy thoughts, words, and deeds).  First, I asked God to show me what is the opposite of self-pity, so I could focus on that.  This is what I discovered.

Joyfulness is the opposite of self-pity.  Joyfulness focuses on God and others.  Self-pity focuses on myself.  Therefore, to conquer self-pity, God led me to confess my self-pity and then focus on developing joyfulness.  In other words, I purposed to replace self-pity with joyfulness.

After reading several definitions of joyfulness, I combined the most helpful ideas into the following definition.  

Joyfulness is the spontaneous enthusiasm and exultation of my spirit, when my soul is in harmony with God.  Joy is openly and outwardly displayed in my actions and words, as well as my thoughts and emotions.

As I studied the Scriptures related to joy, I began to see some emerging biblical principles.  Around these principles, I formulated the following practical application statements for myself, based on these Bible verses.

James 1:2 NLT  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  

Application:  I will consider the challenges of life an opportunity to choose joy instead of self-pity.

Psalms 16:11 HCSB  You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.

Application:  I will focus on spending time in God’s presence, because He is the source of joy.

Psalms 119:111 HCSB  I have Your decrees as a heritage forever; indeed, they are the joy of my heart.

Application:  I will feed on God’s Word, for it is the joy of my heart.

Proverbs 15:23 NASB  A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!

Application:  I will be alert to promptings from the Holy Spirit to speak His wisdom into a situation, which will bring joy to the situation.

Proverbs 10:28 ESV  The hope of the righteous brings joy.

Application:  I purpose to hope for, and in fact anticipate, God’s goodness in my life, and in the lives of those I love.  This will bring me joy.

John 16:24 ISV  So far you haven't asked for anything in my name. Keep asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete."

Application:  I purpose to pray in real-time, as needs arise (so that I “pray about everything”).  As I do this, I have more opportunities to experience the joy of answered prayer.

Galatians 5:22a TPT  But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows.

Application:  I will periodically ask God to show me anything that is blocking the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, so that the flow of joy from Him is unhindered.

Philippians 1:3-4 HCSB  I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,  (4)  always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer,

Application:  Each week, I will spend time filling my heart with joy, as I remember and thank God for the good things that He has done through the people He has placed in my life.

Psalms 40:4a NLT  Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD.

Application:  Each week, I will look for something new that I can trust the Lord for, which will bring me joy and reaffirm in my heart that God wants to help me.

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”