Joy in every area, Joy.
Come curious for what’s in store,
He has healing love, and more.
Joy in every area, Joy.
Storms will always come, but
Your heart can rest assured;
That you will be matured.
Joy in every area, Joy.
Won't you lay down your burdens?
And while counting it all joy -
Remind yourself who’s calling,
It’s your life He will employ.
Joy in every area, Joy!
In James 1:2-4, we have instruction for what to do when trouble and trials arrive, and then James reveals the benefits of following these instructions:
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (NLT).
I pray today that whatever comes your way, you will be encouraged to smile, and remind yourself to count it all joy. I’ve been doing this lately, and it has (felt strange at times, for this isn’t a natural response to troubles). But I can tell you that smiling and even fake laughing will lift the pressure of the moment, and give you a chance to let your burdens go. Then the way is clear to look to the only One who can bring resolution. I would love to hear if you have tried this, or if you plan to try counting it all joy today.
Blessings,
Jacquie ♥
Feature Image: Kiana Bosman
Joy Cottage 
Thank you my dear, I will certainly try these principles.
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I believe you will be blessed (as I am) by the outcome. Joy is a tremendous weapon against darkness, because even if we have to “fake laugh” at first, it won’t be long before real laughter and joy appear. I would love to hear about your experience sometime. ♥
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I will let you know. Thank you.
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Joy is something the Lord has been teaching me about. I’m so thankful for it because I have discovered it’s a way out of distress. I understand the verse better that says the joy of the Lord is my strength. No matter the circumstances, His joy rises up and reminds us that He is Lord. Thanks Jacquie, being reminded of His joy is a great way to start the day! 💛
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Yes. The joy spoken of in Nehemiah is what I repeat (under my breath if necessary) just to remind myself that His joy is my strength. Joy has such impact that it is the driving aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit for me, which is why I love sharing about it with others. Blessings on your busy day! ♥♥
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His JOY is such a wonderful blessing. Have a blessed day too! 💕
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Thanks, I will 😀
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Thank you for the encouragement, Jacquie ❤️. I have tried counting joy in sorrow before. It doesn’t fix the situation, but it always helps change my attitude for the better, to look for the good. Thank you for your thoughts as always 😊.
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Definitely, Jenny. Counting it all Joy is an instruction needed because it goes against our “grain.” But like you say, it changes our attitude, and it’s not something that most of us would even consider as it relates to trials, troubles, and darkness. Blessings to you and your sweet clan ♥♥
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Amen Jacquie. Our experiences have taught us that in the midst of the hardest trials we have to stay positive or the negativity will destroy us. We came too close at times. You are right it is not our natural response. ‘Self’ definitely does not like trials, hardship and suffering in faith BUT spirit knows that this is the only way to kill ‘self’ and grow in spiritual maturity. When we understand that we can endure most anything.
After we come through the trial God debriefs us and we understand the why. This gives us an anchor in joy so the next trial becomes easier to bear. Over time we find that we embrace and are thankful for the trials that come for we know that our loving Father is allowing this for our benefit.
At this point we have told God that we would rather stay in this tiny motel room and continue to endure the hardship until our ‘self’ is truly under our feet than to be released and have even the slightest chance of hurting someone. It is not worth the risk. So we embrace the trial with joy. Thank you God.
Blessings,
Homer Les
http://www.uncompromisingfaith.ca
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Homer, thank you for sharing your heart and experience. It is interesting that as much as we dislike trials, we have times when initially we would rather be upset, than to respond with joy. I know there have been times when responding in love or joy has felt like salt in the wound. But thankfully, as long as we are willing to press through using God’s methods, we are rewarded with more love and maturity. God bless you guys ♥
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Great post! I have found Christian music helps me to step out of depression and into the joy of the Lord. Blessings, Jacquie!
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Me too! I love to turn my music up and dance around my house…even if it feels forced to begin with, it quickly turns to JOY. Blessings and thanks for stopping by Cindy! ♥♥
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Trials and suffering are a given in this life. I love the translation you used – when troubles come, consider it an opportunity for great joy. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Happiness is not. Thank you for a timely post, Jacquie. Very encouraging!
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I’m so glad this spoke to you Patty! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Blessings ♥
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Jacquie, thanks for sharing the joy. We have much to be blessed and joyful about.
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I find that when I praise Him, Joy abounds. It’s a joy that surpasses all understanding, just like the peace of God. It is not of myself, it’s a gift from God, just like my salvation.
And just like the man lame from birth, who didn’t know that he could walk until he picked up his pallet, I don’t experience His Joy until I praise, smile, or laugh! I loved your poem and your post!
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Yes, His joy is a gift with great benefits, and all we have to do is make a decision to pursue it. We serve an AWEsome God. Thank you for sharing your experience and insight, Deb ♥♥
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😊You’re welcome!
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God has been talking to me about joy for the past week and a half or so. I remembered that years ago, I would always listen to the song “I Choose Joy” by Larnelle Harris. I’ve been listening to it over and over again for the past few days. It reminds me that joy is a choice. I’ve also been practicing laughing 10 belly laughs daily since I learned about the effect of laughter on our health; and the statistic that children laugh over 300 belly laughs a day; while adults only laugh 10 or less belly laughs over a few weeks; due to stress. I have decided that the joy of the Lord is my strength; no matter what things look like. Thanks for sharing Jacquie!
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I’m so glad that His joy is taking greater place in your life. ♥ It’s wonderful that medical science is understanding that a merry heart is a medicine. Blessings!
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Yes sometimes I have had to just stop everything and go pray somewhere. When I pray until I feel His peace, I learn that the smile becomes genuine. I even have to find humor in a lot of the bad. Thanks for this lovely post Jacquie!
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I love that the Lord made provision for every need we will ever have. One of the gifts my earthly father gave us was the gift of humor and laughter, for which I am extremely grateful. Blessings to you Renee! ♥
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Amen! And the same blessings to you! ❤️
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🙂 ♥
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JOY can always be found in the LORD, and being thankful for HIS goodness. In the midst of troubles that is when finding joy is hard to do. But we should choose it overall and keep our faces turned upward!
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Amen. This truly is how to remain renewed, and with a stable perspective ♥♥
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Thanks for the reminder! The Lord has been speaking to me about choosing to rejoice and be thankful every day for a few months now. I obviously haven’t hit the “perfect and complete” mark yet, since the trials still come, and the choice to rejoice must still be made daily! 🙂 The Lord is good, always, and worthy of our praise, no matter what our circumstances are!
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Yes, trials do come, which is what makes my heart ache for those who don’t know the Lord – the only One who can walk them through to victory. He definitely is worthy of our praise, and I love that praising God brings peace, comfort, and joy. Thanks for stopping by ♥♥
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