I heard it all my life: Joy is a choice. I never really understood how important it is to make that choice until I became a mother.
Until I saw my negative attitudes affecting my children.
Until I saw my habit of unhappiness shaping their habits.
Until I saw the state of my soul reflected in the mirror of motherhood… and I knew I needed the help of the Holy Spirit to cultivate some very deep changes.
There are reasons I decide to choose joy every day of my life, five reasons.
And, yes, I am the mother of five children, and those are my top five reasons! But here are five more reasons why I choose joy:
1. Joy is God’s will for me.
Plain and simple! It is God’s desire and design that I live an abundant life in Christ.
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11
2. Joy is God’s gift to me.
Our loving heavenly Father has provided everything we need to live a life of joy!
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:22
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13
3. Joy is an expression of gratitude.
Nothing robs joy like ingratitude, and nothing creates it like a thankful, grateful spirit.
“Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.” Psalm 97:12
“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.” Psalm 95:2
4. Joy is an act of worship to the Lord.
When we choose to focus on the goodness and sovereignty of our heavenly Father, even in the middle of unpleasant or difficult circumstances, it is an act of worship to God.
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.” Psalm 98:4
“And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation.” Psalm 35:9
5. Joy is the legacy I want for my children.
I am leaving a legacy. The question is, What kind of legacy? Will I provide stepping stones to enable my children to climb higher in life, or will I scatter stumble blocks for them to overcome?
“Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high? He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord!” Psalm 113:5 & 9
The righteous person lives a life of integrity; happy are his children who follow him! Proverbs 20:7
Are you like me? Do you struggle with cultivating a joyful atmosphere in your home and in your children’s lives?
It starts with us, Mama.
Our heart.
Our choices.
For further reading, please check outa href=”http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/001044″ target=”_blank” onclick=”trackOutboundLink(‘http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/001044’); return false;”>Beyond Survival: A Guide to Abundant Life Homeschooling, by Diana Waring.
