7 Steps to Choosing Joy

Joy: (noun)the emotion evoked by well-being, success or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. A source or cause of delight.

Rejoice in: Have or possess. More at Joy.

Joy and Happiness is the perfume that when you pour or splach it on others you can't help but get some on yourself! Joy is an attitude so...Choose Joy!
Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice! Phil. 4:4

Step One. First you have to make the decision to choose joy. Some days you just have to say, "Today I WILL rejoice!" We have a reason to rejoice because we have hope. Our hope is Jesus! He is our salvation, our Redemption! For that alone we can rejoice. There are days that I need an attitude adjustment. I make the decision of whom I am going to serve.

Step Two. Change your focus. When you focus on Jesus then all of the other stuff falls into perspective.

Step Three. Wash yourself in the Word and His Promises! Phil. 1:6 ; Jer. 29:11; Romans 12:2

Step Four. Start thanking and praising God with your mouth! Give thanks for everything! If you absolutely can't think of anything then quote the Word. Thank Him for something in someone else's life. The enemy won't want to stick around if you are praising God!

Step Five. Train your thought patterns and your mouth. Remember you are a witness for God...good or bad witness, it is your choice! Use your tongue as an attitude gauge.

I think that the two biggest road blocks to joy are unforgiveness and fear. Examine your heart and see if you struggle with either of those things. Ask God to help you.

Step Six. Do not entertain fear! Fear is sin. Anything that you are more afraid of or love more than God is an idol, you are worshipping yoursef. OUCH. I know...I struggled with fear for years. A good con-man (satan) sets up the scam with something you want or love and makes it appear that if you don't get it or do it then you will get hurt. As soon as you feel trapped like this, examine it! If you don't have joy this scheme will work on you. This doesn't mean that you can't have things that you enjoy or activities that you love to do...just keep it balanced! Be grateful!

Step Seven. Practice! Rejoice as a constant discipline! Refuse to worry about things. Understand that Jesus gives peace to those who trust Him and ask for His help.

Remember to focus on Jesus instead of your circumstance. He is our strength and our reason for choosing joy. So Choose Joy!!!