Dragging...to JOY

I woke up late this morning and it would have been easy for me to let things fall to the wayside, like writing for example, but I was still committed to doing everything I needed to do today. I have actually had a really productive morning as a result. 

I am so filled with JOY. I did my devotions and just spending that time in close communication with God has brought in such a flood of joy. I woke up feeling overwhelmed and dragging, but as soon as I put on the music about God and began to read his love letter to us, there was a flood of joy, peace and love that flowed over me. 

This reminds me of a post that I wrote several years ago that I recently found in my drafts. Below is the post:

I have really been challenged lately on the whole concept of joy in my normal everyday life. How much do I experience joy on a day-to-day basis? To be honest, it is hard to experience joy when I am focused the circumstances that surround me. I find whenever my focus is consumed by my circumstances I do not experience joy. The only time I experience joy is when I shift that focus to God. This is a not a new revelation, I have noticed this before. It is interesting how we tend to forget things as life bogs us down. I also find that every time a truth is rediscovered in my life it takes on an even deeper meaning. GROWTH!

I have not been sleeping well lately. This lack of sleep could steal my joy if I let it. It is up to me to allow God to my strength even in my sleep deprived state. I have experiences more joy this week than I have in a long time and it is because God has been showing me how relationship with joy relates to my everyday life. Most people I know struggle to live a life filled with joy, not because they do not want it (who does not want joy in their life), but because it has slipped away. Once joy has slipped away it is not easy to get back.

JOY comes when God is the focus.

This is so true with what I experienced this morning. God was my strength to push through all of the feelings of being overwhelmed and embrace my time with him. As a result, joy came. If you are struggling with joy, take some time and let God be your only focus. You may just be surprised at the result.