Where do you find yourself dwelling? Do you dwell in the past, caught up in things that happened a long time ago or even last week. Or do you dwell in the future looking forward to
things that may or may not happen? We cannot change the past no matter how much we may desire to do so, and we have no control over future events all of those are in God’s hands. So
where do you dwell, what steals your joy?

We as Christian’s should be the happiest most joy-filled people around. Non- Christians and Christian’s alike should be able to see a joy that radiates from deep within, no matter our circumstances. I am not talking about happiness, happiness is contingent on our circumstance, joy is a bubbling up from within a root deep in our souls that time or circumstance cannot diminish.

I have had a lot of hard times in life that had I let them would have robbed me of my joy, had it not been for God and all he has done for me. On my saddest day, I can still have joy, how you ask, by remembering what Jesus has done for me, that’s how. I can have joy looking to my eternal home and forever with Jesus. I can have joy knowing my sin will never be held against me, I am forgiven of everything!

Regret and sadness over past mistakes or wrongs done to me are like cancer that eats away at my soul. Looking back is not an option, I am not going that way. I want to keep my eye on the
prize. The finish line of glory should be the only future event we look to, knowing that this life with all its ups and downs has passed, we will forever be with the one who saved us, no
mistakes or regrets will follow us into glory, we will have arrived!

I have a hard time being around people who are always ” Debbie downers”, they seem bent on sucking the joy and fun out of everything, always complaining etc… I wish there was a magic
sugar pill to sweeten them up (laughing here). You have heard it said that people are always watching, (you) may be the only Bible someone reads. If someone is watching/reading you
what would your Bible say? I don’t know about you, but I want my Bible to be filled with joy overflowing and the beauty of Christ!

Scriptures speak of joy.
Psalm 19:8b The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 126:2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Psalm 100:1-3 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

I want to be a beautiful songbird of joy on this earth for The Lord. I want to walk in such a way that words are not necessary for people to know whom I serve. When someone looks at me, I want them to see Jesus first before words are ever spoken. Do you want this joy? Seek him, know him and allow him to crowd out the past hurts, anger, sins and whatever else may weigh you down, He can and He will!