As children of God, we’re meant to live with a vibrant joy… to heralding the arrival of God’s kingdom… to pound the doors of every human heart with hilarity and celebration until the last prodigal crosses heaven’s threshold. The last hardened heart is rend, and the last older brother plucks his fingers from his ears.
While researching for Fight Back With Joy: Celebrate More. Regret Less. Stare Down Your Greatest Fear., I discovered the miracle of joy, namely, you can give joy away even when you don’t have it. When you give joy, you’re filled with more joy.
Here are 7 practical ways you can fill the world with joy today:
- Smile at the people you see. A recent study found that smiling can increase our happiness level and make us more productive, but the grin must be genuine.
Start in your own home. Smile at your roommate. Your spouse. Your kids. Allow your eyes to light up, your hidden teeth to show. Look each person in the eyes.
Remember that you’re beaming the joy of God to them. You’re reflecting the delight of your Heavenly Father.
- Radiate grace. When you see a coworker, spouse, or child make a mistake, do something clumsy, or break something valuable, rather than become angry, bring levity to the situation with laughter and compassion.
Help them clean up the mess with a big smile and verbally affirm the person’s value and worth.
- Sing or hum throughout the day. All of creation is joined with a holy chorus giving praise to God. You can join in right now, wherever you are.
Turn on the radio. Plug in the iPod. Hum to yourself. Offer joyful praise to God.
- Place an exclamation point on today. Don’t let this be another average day. Pause for a moment and consider what simple acts you can do to make today special for you and those you love. You don’t need much time or money.
Pick wildflowers or gather some fresh tree branches and place them in a vase on the table. Light a few candles. Set out the fancy dishes. Wear your favorite shirt.
God has placed the exclamation point of His love on your life. Do something to reflect that exclamation point of loving Him back by celebrating this day He has made.
- Write a note of blessing to someone you love. If you need a fresh infusion of joy, then bless someone else. Grab a notecard and start jotting down all the things you appreciate about the person. Feel the gratitude well up in your heart. Then, pop that notecard in the mail and spread joy.
- Do something you love. Most people I know aren’t guilty of doing what they love too much, they’re guilty of doing it far too little.
God has gifted and wired you for specific activities that renew your joy, fill you with delight, and remind you of His love. One of my great joys is hiking. When I experience creation, gratitude abounds in my heart, and I come home a much happier person than when I left (just ask Leif!).
What is your joy-filling activity?
Are you an outdoors person, a coffee shop connoisseur, love shopping with friends, settling down with a great book, or cooking a new recipe? Do the activity that God uniquely wired you to thoroughly enjoy and give Him thanks for it while you’re doing it. Celebrate your Creator.
- Strike up a conversation with a stranger. A recent study at a Chicago train station asked commuters to participate in a simple experiment. One group was asked to talk to the stranger who sat next to them. The other group was instructed to keep to themselves.
By the end of the ride, the commuters who spoke to a stranger reported a more positive experience—even though most had predicted the ride would be more pleasant if they sat quiet and alone.
Research is beginning to reveal what I suspect God knew a long time ago, namely, that interacting with strangers helps us feel happier and more connected. Instead of keeping to yourself, say “hello” and strike up a conversation with those around you.[i]
Fun, life-giving practices like these are essential to your faith.
Why?
The joy you radiate in the midst your everyday life is a witness to the goodness of God.
When you walk in greater amounts of joy, people are naturally drawn to you, and more importantly, the Jesus in you.
If you think the Fight Back With Joy 6-session DVD Bible study might be a good fit for your small group or study, click here to learn more.
I’ve been thinking about joy a lot recently so it was great to read this today. Thank you!
Love that JOY has been on your mind! May His joy emanate through you to those around you. Hugs!
This is awesome I love passing on joy, it feels great!
You are so right, Cheryl!
I am going through a sadness phase right now, because my youngest daughter has lost her way. Please pray for her and my family. These steps of Joy is something that I needed today. This is awesome. I will try to use these steps everyday. I am a school nurse and I like making kids happy. I want the compassion and love of God that resides in me to radiate to the students and people I serve and work with. Just because I am sad inside, I needed to remember that this is the day that the Lord hath made and we should be glad and rejoice in it. Your steps have brightened up my day and made me remember this. God has given me grace so I need to take the love he has shown and given me and spread it to someone else. Thanks and God Bless You!
Linda,
Praying for you and your daughter.
I have a son who lost his way as a teen.
What a joy that he has found it again – or rather Jesus brought him back.
Our LORD is faithful and good. Please don’t lose hope!
Hugs,
Katie
My heart goes out to you Linda and I will pray for you and your daughter. I am sharing something that I say everyday as i arise.
Father, thank you for another beautiful day, I’m going to be happy, I’m going enjoy today, I’m going to brighten someone else’s life today. I receive Your gift of Joy today.
Blessings
Thank you for sharing, Linda. I can only imagine the heartache you feel. Praying today that His love surrounds you and His joy lifts. Hugs!
Dear Linda,
My heart is with you & I’m going thru the same with my teen son as we speaks. And my spouse went a stray & being abusive with words & harsh all the time. It’s indeed heart-breaking extremely challenged to change the ambience when he infuse & corrupt the place with anger & bitterness.
Never give, Linda dear. We shall be steadfast in the Lord. I’m praying for you. The Lord is all-knowing in control at all time. Trust in Him & may the joy & peace of the Lord over-flow in you always.
Smiling at others brightens both of your days!!
So true! Hugs!
Hi Margaret! This is great! But i didn’t see where i can forward it to a friend who is going through a very difficult time right now. How do i get it to her?
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I need prayer. I am recently divorced but still praying that the Lord will redeem and heal my former spouse. First that he will return to the Lord and then to me. I am trying to balance between guarding my heart while trusting the Lord. Does that make sense. I also want to glorify God in my pain and learn contentment in all circumstances will you please pray for me and my former spouse. That’s God’s Will, will prevail. Thank you in advance.
Prayers said over you and your family, sweet Kimberely. Huge hug to you during this difficult time!
Women in my Church group studied your book last year. As I was travelling in Italy recently, I had reason to be in a chaotic hospital emergency room. A drunk was brought in. A woman wearing a neck-head stabilizer was wheeled in on a stretcher. A middle-aged woman shouted angrily at the triage nurse who shouted back. An elderly man appeared to be dying, his eyes remaining shut while he quietly moaned. I asked his daughter if I could sing to her father. She nodded yes, so I stroked his weathered cheek as I sang to him I often sang to my dying father. As I sang O MY PAPA his eyes opened, his lips quivered and in a beautiful tenor he sang along with me in Italian. The whole room quieted down to listen … a moment of pure joy for me as well as his daughter. A moment of peace for all in that hospital emergency y room.
Wow Leanne, this is so beautiful. Thank you for telling us about this tender moment. It filled my heart. Many Blessings!
What an awesome way to show God’s love to a stranger. I’m betting many people listened and heard God’s love as you sang. Thank you for saying, “yes” to the Holy Spirit.
Simply beautiful, Leanne!
Hi Margaret: I am reading your book, Fight Back with Joy. I am enjoying it. I was surprised to see on page 69 that you said Nazirites shaved their head as a sign of dedication to God. My understanding of the Bible is just the opposite. Samson was a Nazirite and he was instructed not to shave his head. Very interesting…right after I noticed this, I asked God for a word (not about that) and opened my Bible spontaneously as I do sometimes and it opened to the VERY PAGE which tells about Samson. Seriously, I turned right to the page with Samson’s name in big bold letters of my NKJV study bible. It referred me back to Numbers where it details the requirements. No wine, No cutting of the hair, and No contact with corpses. Please don’t take my comment the wrong way. Just thought that other Christians reading you book may have the same thought. You are amazing and I could only wish to be such a wonderful witness for the Lord.