With eight days left until Christmas, have a cup of cheer. What’s in the cup? Well, it’s not eggnog; it’s JOY.
Do you wake up singing, “Joy to the World,” or are you feeling more like Scrooge? Take time to prepare your heart.
Joy to the world
Joy to the world! The Lord has come
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room
Prepare Him room
Not always as easy as it sounds, is it? Move over busyness, move over sadness, move over stress and friction. Now where is this joy?
Fruit of the Spirit
As you barrel towards the end of the year, stop and consider Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy….”
Love and joy are fruit of the Spirit, so when you are struggling to find joy, go to the source and ask for it.
Hard season
Some seasons are just hard, but there’s joy there too. “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2 (NLT)
Troubles truly are a great opportunity to lean in and depend on God, who is faithful and never leaves us. The strange truth is that in times of trials, joy in the Lord is sometimes easier to find. Otherwise, we look for it in shopping, eating, drinking and being merry. And that never lasts.
Merry Christmas
I pray you wake up on Christmas morning full of joy for so many reasons. But even if you have only one, don’t miss it.
“Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5b (NLT)
So pick up your Bible, then bow your head and ask the Lord to fill you with joy, no matter what your circumstanced. Then get up and have a cup of cheer.
You are not alone
I’d love to throw confetti and celebrate joy in your life. But listen, if you are in a dark, dark place, remember you are not alone. The holidays can be difficult, so if you are struggling, get help. Call 988 for assistance.
Blessings in the coming days, Vicki! Debbie Franks