I am a very sensitive and emotional person. I often let my heart lead instead of leading my heart. God has been showing me how to live my life according to His word and not by my feelings. A few things I am learning I don’t really like, as they require me to change, and well change can be hard. However, as a Christian and a wife, I know that there are things that I need to work on. (A friend of mine calls them “growing pains!”)
In the last few days my attitude and outlook on life has been far less than joyful. When my husband asks me, “What’s wrong?” I stare out the window and respond, “I’m just tired.” It’s not a lie, I have been tired, but it is a little more than just that. I have this gnawing tightness in my chest, the only expression on my face is apathy, and my conversations only last a few words.
Last night we were driving home and my husband looked over towards me, then back towards the road. “What?” I snapped. He looked back at me and asked so sincerely, “What has stole your joy?” I was speechless. He pinpointed what I was struggling with, so I couldn’t mask it by my usual “tired” excuse and I still wasn’t willing to acknowledge myself that I am not joyful. My husband challenged me to find out what has stole my joy and get it back.
I woke up this morning to my husband praying over me. I was half a sleep and lacked the strength to force myself to be alert. I heard a few of his words, but the majority of it sounded muffled. I fell back to sleep to snag a few more delightful hours of rest. When I got up, I jumped into my routine of checking e-mails, when I came across a verse of the day that gets automatically sent to my inbox. This is what I read:
“Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.” ~ Proverbs 16:20
I realized in that moment that I have been living the past few days not trusting in God and letting my feelings lead my life and it made me miserable.
God,
I am sorry for not trusting in you. I am sorry for not being content with the things you have provided for me. I am sorry that I allow such small things to effect me so much that I have no joy. Please help me to be stronger and to know how to always trust in you! I pray that my life exudes JOY always! Please help me manage my time and not spread myself too thin. Thank you for all that you have given me, especially your word that encourages at the best times and teaches me how to live like you have called me to! Thank you for my husband and his patience with me. Bless him Lord! AMEN!
Many things can take JOY away. Here is a list I put together to help me evaluate my life and make sure that nothing steals my joy. If you want check out this list and make sure that nothing is stealing your JOY, if it is than you know what you should adjust.
-Trusting God in all circumstances
-Managing Time (Women Multitask – but don’t spread yourself so thin that you can’t put 100% into what you do, otherwise anxiety will creep up on you!)
-Lead Life By God’s Word – Not by Feelings
-Being content
If you have anything to add to the list that would benefit wives and encourage JOY please comment below!
