Did you know there is a difference between happiness and joy? Happiness is a feeling, while joy is a state of being. Happiness is an emotion, while joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). You can choose to be joyful in any circumstance (James 1:2). So, I encourage you to choose joy today.
If you are enduring sleepless nights… choose joy.
If selfishness is beginning to creep in… choose joy.
If you feel like a failure… choose joy.
If you are struggling to forgive someone… choose joy.
If life circumstances are making you weary… choose joy.
If mommy time is just a dream… choose joy.
If you can’t do it all and need some grace… choose joy.
If your home has flaws… choose joy.
If the dirty dishes are piling up… choose joy.
If you don’t understand God’s plan… choose joy.
“And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.” –Ecclesiastes 8:15
Will you choose joy today?
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Great post. Thanks for sharing!
Morgan recently posted..Doors
Linked up next to you…I love this…yes it is a choice…thanks for the reminder.
This was an encouragement to my heart TODAY. Thanks so much for sharing this. Have a wonderful day, Jenni.
Thanks for stopping by over at WholeHearted Home
Judith recently posted..NINE Decades for Jesus!!
So glad this was a blessing to you, Judith. I hope you had a joyful day!
Amen Sister! Choose Joy!!!!
Nikki @ Christian Mommy Blogger recently posted..Daily To Do List for Bloggers {Printable}
Isn’t it great that God offers us joy no matter what our circumstances are! Thank so much, Jenni, for this uplifting reminder. I’m reaching for joy today!
We are so blessed to serve a mighty God who had a plan in all things. That is definitely something to be joyful about! Thank you for your comment, Beth.
So true…joy is always a choice. Thanks, Gail
Gail recently posted..Go to the Source
This picture makes it easier for me to choose joy:) I am partial to the redheads. Choosing with you, jenni.
Laura recently posted..Playdates with God: Painting the Door
Laura, this is an older picture (she had teeth now!), but it always makes me smile.
Oh Amen to that! In the storms of life, choose joy. In the midst of anger, choose joy. When it feels like the world around us is too overwhelming to face, choose joy.
Love love love your message here. I often wonder how different our world would be if everyone made a conscious effort to choose joy, no matter what.
Rosann recently posted..Gymnastics, Girl Scouts, Play Dates, and More… Are We Leading Our Children to God?
You are so right, Rosann…. The world would be much different. There are so many people who need Jesus so they can experience true joy. Thank you for this reminder.
I will! That picture brings me joy! What a face
Jenna@CallHerHappy recently posted..I am so hungry…
Isn’t she adorable? Of course, I think so… lol Glad you enjoyed it!
:0)… Real joy is mine, no matter if the teardrops start; I found the secret, it’s Jesus in my he-ar-ar-art! happiness is to know the Savior; living a life within His favor…
Do you know that OLD SS song :0)! Having joy is such a gift because it is during the good, the bad, and the ugly that we can have it! Thanks for this joyous post and that gorgeous baby pic!
Donna recently posted..Building Family Bonds One Game Board At a Time
I don’t think I’ve heard that song, but sometimes I don’t recognize them until I hear the tune. Thanks for sharing, Donna!
amen! and a great reminder…always! I simply never tire of the reminder quite frankly… there are just days when the demands outweigh the energy levels and I simply have to choose joy. gratitude and the art of thankfulness really are the nucleus of day to day joy for me. hugs to you bella
mangiabella recently posted..The Space Between…And Green Chile
“when the demands outweigh the energy levels” Oh yes, you are so right… That is me by about 4pm! lol
What a gift! This gift of choice.
I’m with you, Jenni….I’m choosing joy!!
Nikki recently posted..The Ingredients of Patience {A Guest Post}
I love this!!! To see someone choose joy when there are clearly surrounding circumstances that would lead to another choice really is a witness to those who do not know Christ. Choosing Joy today!! Thanks for posting this!
Falen recently posted..Labels
Hi Jenni,
So true! Joy is not dependent on our circumstances like happiness is.
Visiting today from Just Write.
Blessings,
Laura
Laura Rath recently posted..A Blessing by Design
Often hard to make that choice, isn’t it, Jenni!? Beautifully said.
Thanks so much for sharing with our heart+home link up
Lauren @ {{mercyINK}} recently posted..BEST chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe + {HEART+HOME #15} link up
What a great reminder Jenni. Choosing joy is not easy, but it is what God wants us to do. When we choose it our lives are so much better. Thank for this challenge and thanks for linking up at my blog!
What a great reminder! As Christians we can always choose joy because oh the Hope we have in Christ!
Partied with you at Thought Provoking Thursdays.
Kendra @ A Proverbs 31 Wife recently posted..No More Swaps
Awesome advice! Choose Joy!! Not always easy but always worth it when you do.
Alecia recently posted..I Wish I Would Have Told Him
Love this! It is so important to grab hold of the joy He provides for us! Thanks for sharing and linking up with Wisdom Wednesdays! Blessings!
Misty recently posted..Grasp….Five Minute Friday
This is a beautiful post! It reminds us that we have a choice. How often do we think that we don’t have one, but we do. We can choose to be happy in the midst of our circumstances, in spite of them, lol! I’m choosing joy today, thanks for the reminder, my friend! And thanks for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday!
momstheword recently posted..Making Your Home Sing Monday: I Have A Meme!
Great points! I like to write little messages with a dry erase on my bathroom mirror to remind me to be Joyful. Thanks for sharing at Mom’s Library!
tulip recently posted..Educational Carnival Games: Human Board Game
What a good idea. Thanks for sharing!