As I sat in my room this morning and listened to the rain I smiled and thought… What a wonderful morning! As a swimmer, there is no better sound to wake up to than rain and thunder crashing down when you’re supposed to have morning practice.

My sister runs into my room like a child on Christmas, “Is practice canceled?” She asked, hoping she could stay home and lay in bed! “Ye…” ⛈⛈⛈lighting struck as I began to answer her question. The look on her face immediately changed from joy to fear in less than a second. As the thunder rumbled nothing I said mattered to her. She was so consumed by fear she forgot I was even there.

Many of us are like this everyday. You could be having the best day of your life and all it takes is one little thing to ruin it. Having a busy schedule makes you really susceptible to stress, like a ticking time bomb ready to explode.

“You have to make up your mind at the start of the day that nothing that comes in your way is going to steal your joy” –Joel Osteen

“Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” James 1:2-3

I believe Patience is the key to Joy! 🔑Alright DJ Khaled, another one…. “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”- Abe Lincoln

The word joy comes from the Greek word Chara or Cognate; meaning gladness, source of joy, grace, and or favor. This word is written over 60 times throughout the Bible.

To me, Joy is knowing that God has a plan no matter what happens. It’s having faith and trusting in him, knowing that there is a reason for everything. Joy is being able to smile when things go wrong and turn the experience into knowledge for later. No matter what the devil throws my way, I choose to smile.

Some of you might say it is Impossible to always be happy….. You are correct! Joy and happiness are COMPLETELY different. Being happy appeals to your feelings, which are temporary…. Joy is everlasting or eternal.

Think of it like this. In the movie Toy Story, Mr. Potato Head saves 3 of the Little Green Men from flying out of the car. They follow him around repeating “You have saved our lives, we are eternally grateful.” That’s the same way we should express our joy. We might not always be happy with the situation  but we rejoice anyway.

“Do not sorrow, for the Joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10

There are so many more reasons for us to rejoice than weep. Sometimes we take our blessings for granted instead of being thankful for what we have in the first place.

“As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” -2 Corinthians 6:9-10

No matter what our situation may look like, our inner joy is never taken away! We can rejoice knowing that we are forgiven children of God. When you think about it and put God above everything, nothing else matters and your joy is restored!

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” -1 Thess 5:16-18

Every day we make a choice…..

Is my glass half empty or half full?