I wrote earlier this year about the value of our tears. An important part of my journey with God has been learning to grieve losses, because true grief is God’s mechanism for healing the pain of loss, and tears water the ground of our lives so new hope can rise up. I went through a journey of grieving three years ago, but that’s a story for another time. What happened as a result of that season is that I actually let out the tears that were inside, and in the years since I have discovered joy in new ways.
Earlier this year I was hearing one of the pastors at Bethel Church teach on joy and I felt the prompt of the Holy Spirit, saying to me, “You’ve thought people would love you if you’re sad, but actually, they’ll love you if you’re happy.”
Comfort is important to me, and it is an important part of healing that also strengthens our connection with others. But in this moment, I realised that I believed if I had too much joy, people wouldn’t like me as much! I love Jesus very much, and the Scriptures tell us He was anointed with gladness above His companions. He had more joy than other people around Him! Yet I would suggest that although He has also been hated, no one in history has been more loved than Jesus Christ.
I’m learning not to push joy away. I’m learning to practice laughter each day. I’m learning to make joy my home.
The Scriptures tell us that the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Joy is (at least) one third of the Kingdom of God!
This December, if you’d like to partner with me on my joy journey, please pray and consider giving for these couple of things:
> Joy for me – like many of us during the pandemic, I haven’t actually had a holiday away from where I’m living for a couple of years now. Although I’m very grateful to be living in the US, I would love to actually explore some other parts of the country than where I live. Currently, all the money that has been donated to me has gone towards tuition and living expenses (accommodation and food). I’ve planned a couple of breaks away during December, and if you’d like to help cover the cost of these you can give here or post below if you’d like to give another way.
> Joy to spread – I am just about to embark on fundraising for a mission trip that I’ll be going on to Montana in March 2022. This trip involves supporting local church leaders and being part of amazing things God is doing among the Native American people of Montana. You can donate directly to this mission trip here.
Adventures with God 