Week 1 - Day 2
There is so much pain in the world that it is easy to feel bad or uncomfortable about living joyfully. "After all," we think, "how can I be happy when so many people are struggling?" Usually this conclusion comes from our own thinking, but sometimes it can result from "guilt trips" that others seemingly put on us if we are too happy. We need to recognize though that if we continually curtail our joy and optimism, we are robbing them and ourselves of much-needed aspect of G-d's nature.
Shame can also hinder us from accepting full joy in our lives because we unconsciously believe that we are still unworthy and undeserving of being happy. Like a dripping faucet in the back of our soul, we judge that we deserve to suffer and be punished. This inability to fully accept our forgiveness is a big issue with many people; it blocks blessing and hope for our lives. We need a greater revelation of the Father's love that will uproot this deception that wounds us. (Luke 7:47)
People around us need us to possess joy. By doing so, we are more able to set others free (and leave an inheritance of victory). Our breaking through the lies of the enemy will allow us to impart "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" (Isaiah 61:3). We will bring faith to a whole new level in the lives of those we touch.
Of course, there are times we need to be sensitive to the feelings of others and "weep with those who weep", but we cannot let guilt and shame hinder us from possessing outrageous joy for our lives. If we do, then we will be restricting our strength for our journey and our influence for Christ on others. Truly, biblical joy is a catalyst to breakthrough in the kingdom of G-d.
Declaration: I am forgiven. G-d loves me. The resurrection and death of Yeshua has made me worthy and deserving to be happy and blessed. I am sensitive to the needs and emotions of others around me, but I still move forward in rejoicing in the L-rd. My joy increasingly breaks off spirits of discouragement and heaviness all around me.
(I'll be the first to comment!)
ReplyDeleteWhen there are the days the spirit of heaviness comes upon me everything is blah, boring, and goes wrong. When I allow the Spirit of joy to come in and possess my heart, mind, body, and spirit it changes everything. I'm upbeat, smiling and laughing more. Elisha and Brad and everyone else around me feels so much better and happier to be around me. I had felt guilt and shame in the past for feeling so joyful when so much suffering is going on... but then G-d gave me the revelation of His deep and unending love. He won't relent until He has it all from us. From me or you and that gives me great joy that even if someone might be suffering. I take joy that G-d has a better plan for them then what they can see at the moment! PTL