fruit of the spirit: joy.

joy | joi | : noun. 1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation: She felt the joy of seeing her son's success.
                               2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated: Her prose style is a pure joy.
                               3. the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.
                               4. a state of happiness or felicity.
                  -verb: 5. to gladden.

another one of those words that can't truly be understood by a literal definition.

I always understand joy and (choosing it) better when I remember that everything is grace. feelings, possessions, people.. each pain or time of sorrow. celebration and happiness. shame, and then forgiveness and restoration. rules and choosing to follow them. the sun, the night time break from the sun. a roof. stairs. trees.. everything is grace given.

because I remember what the alternative was, before Jesus so lovingly saved our souls.
instead of just suffering now, we would have been put to death. being alive and learning from Him and receiving His forgiveness is grace. so I choose to be content in all circumstances; to choose joy. because all of that grace I receive, in every moment of every day, gives me no right to be a grump.

+joy doesn't come from having your circumstances in order and under control; it comes from what's in your heart.
+there's nobody happier than a truly thankful person, a truly content person.
+we all want to see things get better. but where you are right this minute doesn't have to disturb you.
- Joyce Meyer


+to learn to be grateful and happy, whether hands full or empty. that is a secret worth spending a life on learning.
+joy doesn't negate all other emotions; joy transcends all other emotions.
-Ann Voskamp

linking:

| out loud in my head | the rabbit hole chronicles | a joyful journal |

| by feet or heart | the ever-changing thought | broken rubies | apopiptolepis |