Week 3: Practicing Joy
by guest blogger, Adria Wilkins, on December 13, 2021
I have been practicing joy in a little different way for Christmas. I decided in preparation for Christmas to buy several shirts that say, “Choose Joy” and wear them on a regular basis leading up to December 25.
You know how people say be careful about praying for patience? I think the same is true when you wear a t-shirt that says choose joy. If am not being joyful it could cause people to wonder why I am choosing to wear that shirt. I have found that I tend to be challenged with negative situations more when I wear one of those shirts.
Joy Takes Effort
The more you practice, the better your skills will be. I practice joy every day especially since I have written a book about joy and speak weekly about joy. I will tell you that sometimes I have to practice a little harder when I am around difficult or grumpy people.
Practice means to apply or use an idea or belief. We are all practicing something. Practice helps to make things come naturally without thinking about it. Choirs, military, police, doctors, surgeons, nurses, musicians – they all practice. I am glad they do. Could you imagine having surgery with a doctor who has never practiced or done any kind of surgical procedure? I wouldn’t want to be on the operating table.
You have probably heard the phrase, “Practice makes perfect.” You become more efficient with repetition and persistence. Practicing requires work and effort. It doesn’t just happen.
What can we do to practice becoming better at living a life of joy?
Being aware of our attitude and actions is a great place to start.
When negative things happen, it is best to stop and notice what has caused the unpleasant feelings. Then we need to decide if we will continue processing and thinking about the situation or redirect our minds back to where we were before the occurrence.
This is not an easy task.
Joy Vs. Negativity
Although I’m an author and speaker, I still need practice. I have a business where I provide bookkeeping to small businesses. One of my bookkeeping customers called me the other day when I was in the middle of working on a joy-filled podcast episode.
After the phone call with the client, I was not joy-filled. In fact, I was quite irritable. To shake off the frustration, I got up from my desk to get a glass of water, turned on some Christian praise music, and began singing and worshiping God to turn my thoughts back to Him. I decided to put my client's work aside until the next day. This allowed me to have the right frame of mind to continue working on my joy-filled podcast.
Are there people you work with or encounter who are hard to deal with? It will consume your thought process and eat you alive if you don’t address it and redirect your mind.
Joy, Even in Prison
In Acts 16:25-34, Paul and Silas were in prison, but they were praying and singing hymns to God. In fact, it was midnight! It may have been dark, damp, and cold. It probably wasn’t a happy place to be. But guess what? They were practicing joy. They were spreading joy as well because the other prisoners were listening.
Their joyful moment was interrupted by a violent earthquake that shook the foundations of the prison. The prison doors opened, and everyone’s chains came loose.
The jailer evidently was asleep because it says, “The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!’”
It seems like it went from bad to worse in just a matter of seconds for the jailer. Life can feel like that at times for us. We might get laid off from work, encounter a co-worker who is rude, or face a grumpy spouse. If we can stop for just a moment just like Paul instructed the jailer, it will allow the impact of what happened to settle.
Paul offered some hope in the moment by assuring the jailer no one had run away.
“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’”
“They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’”
The joy of salvation spread to the jailer and his household. “He was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.”
Paul continued sharing the joy of salvation everywhere he went. It came naturally to him because he practiced having the joy of the Lord. Even in prison!
Your Joy Will Be Noticed
Practicing joy even in the midst of difficult situations will be noticed by others. It may not come naturally at first, but during any trouble you are confronted with, try these key practices.
· Be aware of your present situation.
· Stop and take a breath.
· Redirect your thoughts.
· Continue moving forward.
During this Christmas season, don’t let anyone steal your joy. Practice joy by singing Christmas carols at the top of your lungs, instead of sitting in a prison of negativity.
Adria Wilkins is an award-winning author, speaker, and podcaster. Her book, The Joy Box Journal, was released July 2019. Adria enjoys telling a story, adding sprinkles of joy and a few extra dollops to liven it up.