The Key to Experiencing Increased Joy

It’s sad how when something is “bad,” it’s bad enough, but when something is “good,” it’s never good enough. Why can’t we accept the gifts as the sweet blessings they are? 

Negative Mindset

“Enjoy the beautiful sunshine,”the clerk encouraged.

“I will,” I responded, then quickly added, “now if the temperature would only follow suit.”

And then I kicked myself for my impulsive answer! Without even thinking I had negated the gift of the beautiful sunshine.

It’s sad how often I do that. 

Complimented about my clothes, I comment about how I’d like to be in a bit better shape.

Affirmed in my work, I turn to a peer and whine about the workload.

I receive a visit from a friend and spend the time apologizing about the messiness of my house and that I have nothing to serve them.

I’m blessed by a sunny day and complain that it is too cold, too hot or too windy.

A focus on the negative is not only my problem; it’s epidemic in our culture. 

Reframe the Negative in Light of God’s Promises

I wonder what might happen if we begin to qualify the negative rather than the positive. To be quick to give thanks for the good and to look at the apparent bad in light of God’s promises.

How might that improve our demeanor? 

In my younger years, few things would get me down. I’d reframe seemingly negative situations into positive. 

In my childlike innocence, I was grateful for the good and believed the bad would get better. I had abundant joy. 

But as a more “mature” individual, I let unfulfilled expectations and unwanted circumstances color my attitude. 

Maybe that’s why God says we must receive the benefits of His kingdom, His gifts, like a little child.

“Like a little child” means with humility and gratitude. Not with demands that sunny must be warm too. Not with expectations that everything go exactly as we think they should.

But with trust and faith and simple acceptance and thanksgiving. 

I’m not suggesting unrealistic platitudes. But we can realize increased joy when we develop a from-the-heart desire to be grateful. A deep soul-desire to believe that God is good and has good for us.

A worshipful attitude of gratitude in all circumstances. 

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Experience Increased Joy

The Apostle Paul knew the importance to our faith of the correct mindset. That’s why he so strongly encouraged us to focus on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).  

He didn’t say temper the good with what we believe would be even better.  

Increased joy is found in focusing on the blessings we receive. It is found in dwelling on the salvation we have in Christ. It is found in being reminded of God’s promises and that we are well kept. 

The joy of our salvation is found in remembering that God’s will is always for our good (Psalm 51:12)! 

Habit of Gratitude

Going on 5 years of counting and I’m nearing 5,000 gifts in Ann Voskamp’s Joy Dare! What a blessing! Here are numbers #4,894–4,914. Read my entire list by clicking here.