Today I had the opportunity to take some time out in my day / week and return to one of those places that always seems to refresh me and bring me joy – Zealandia!
The world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary, with a 500-year vision to connect people with nature and help native wildlife flourish in Wellington and beyond.
The sun came out periodically which is always a huge blessing as we welcome the first signs of spring. A variety of birds were gleefully chirping and whistling away, as the hectic hustle and bustle of the world slowly went about its busyness just a few kilometers away
As I was taking my time to catch a breath or two after a brisk walk up the main track (well at least it was a brisk walk for me with my health condition), it got me thinking about the whole area of joy, thankfulness and gratitude.
Over the past couple of weeks I have been working through a module on the University of Michigan’s RENEW Fatigue Study, looking at the area of Gratitude. Recording entries (currency) into my positive piggy bank, so that at the end of the month I will get to close my account and see all the things that I have been grateful for over the past month.
You see, positive thinking is an important part of managing my energy, as how I think and feel about things can have a detrimental affect on my health and well-being.
Studies have shown that positive thinking can help; reduce negative moods, decrease fatigue and improve sleep, decrease anxiety, block pain signals in the brain to reduce the pain responses and decrease stress.
As I was taking another much needed rest on my walk around Zealandia admiring the lower dam between the totara trees, I was reminded of a devotion on YouVersion that I read the other day about a psalm that recognises and celebrates the joyfulness of the Israelite people as they returned to Jerusalem (refer to Psalm 126). Along with one on Lectio 365 and another on Rhema’s Word for Today, which I read last week (included below) which were all looking at the area of Joy.
You see, gratefulness, thankfulness, joy is like a muscle; the more you develop it, the stronger it becomes. So, how can we develop joy in our lives?
Here are some exercises to help you to increase and develop inner joy:
Show more gratitude.
‘Give thanks in all circumstances’
(1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). Note, it doesn’t say be thankful for all circumstances, but in them. Hans Seyle, the father of modern stress studies, says gratitude produces more emotional energy than any other attitude.
So look for more ways to express gratitude. Email or call someone to tell someone you care about them. And remember to express gratitude to God.
The psalmist says, ‘With my song I praise him’ (Psalm 28:7 NIV). If you’re not naturally a joyful person, start singing praises to God and watch your attitude change.
Look for ways to give.
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35 NIV). Someone has jokingly said, ‘When it comes to giving, many people will stop at nothing.’ What does the Bible reveal? ‘God loves a cheerful giver’ (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV). Why? Because you are most like God when you give, and he doesn’t give grudgingly. Your giving actually determines how much you receive from God!
The Bible says when you give him the first of your income, he will ‘throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it’ (Malachi 3:10 NIV).
You cannot outgive God. As the old farmer said, ‘I shovel it into God’s storehouse, and he shovels it into mine – but God has a bigger shovel.’
Start serving others.
As long as you live with a sense of entitlement believing that others should serve you, your joy gauge will be reading ’empty’. Jesus said it’s in giving away your life to others that you find abundant life (see Mark 8:35).
Paul reminds us: ‘Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do’ (Ephesians 6:7-8 NIV).
The happiest people are typically too busy helping others to ask themselves, ‘Am I happy?’ Find a cause greater than self-interest, and pour your life into it. If you do, your legacy will be much greater than your life span.
Share your faith with someone.
‘There is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents’
(Luke 15:10 NLT).
Your greatest joy in life will be the result of trusting in Christ as your Saviour.
And your second-greatest joy will come from introducing others to him.
Imagine sharing your faith with someone. They may not respond at the time, but you have still sown the seed of God’s word.
Later, they commit their lives to Christ. Perhaps you didn’t know it. But imagine them meeting you in Heaven and saying, ‘I want to thank you for taking the time. I’m here because you cared enough to tell me about Jesus.’ You say, ‘I’ve lost my joy.’ Question: when was the last time you shared your faith with someone or led them to Christ?
Regardless if you have faith or believe in God, or not – it is extremely beneficial to find ways in which you can show and acknowledge gratitude and identify the little things that bring you joy. It is important to find ways in which you can give back to others and serve wherever you are able, to help others less fortunate than you. And share your faith (or journey) with others so that they can find encouragement
Maybe you need to set aside some time to write down on a piece of paper, or type a note on your device, all of the good things you can think of in the past day, week, month, or even year that you are grateful for.
It may be as simple as getting up this morning and seeing the sun for the first time in a while, or that you have been able to sleep in a bed.
The truth is there are innumerable things that we can be thankful for.
Returning to New Zealand after serving overseas for a few weeks assisting people in Nepal after the devastating earthquake I was extremely grateful for light switches that actually worked and instant hot-water systems that meant that I could have a long relaxing bath after a tiring day amongst other things.
We can never take what we have for granted and should always try to be thankful and grateful regardless what we have to face because someone is always going to be worse off than us.
Now don’t get me wrong I am not grateful that I have been lumbered with Scleroderma.
Over the past few days or so, there are parts of me which have been lingering in the woe is me space, as I’ve had a few bad moments of late where I’ve felt completely wiped out and even today is a bit of a struggle.
This disease sucks and it can be difficult to live with let alone be joyful especially when the pain sets in or fatigue hits.
However, I will try and use my experiences and hopeful optimism, irregardless of how I am feeling, to hopefully make someone else’s life just a tad brighter.
How about you?
Blessings ’til next time 🙂
The life and times of Perry... 