Prayer For Courage To Choose Joy

CHOOSE JOY

I think I mentioned a few weeks ago how I appreciate the wacky jokes that my brother-in-law puts in my email.  Sometimes I smile, or cringe, or laugh out loud.  These jokes remind us how things have changed, what we have to be grateful for that we probably took for granted before the pandemic restrictions were put in place. 

A few lines from what he sent me a couple of days ago:

Day 57 at home and the dog is looking at me like, “See, this is why I chew the furniture.”

Remember all those times when you wished the weekend would last forever.  Well, wish granted.  Happy now?

I think I’m finally being grounded for everything I didn’t get caught for when I was a teenager!!

Anyway, however we find it, these are days we need to choose joy.  Sure there continue to be restrictions.  Life is not as it was before the lockdowns in March.  There are many things still uncertain about the future.  But we have today.  What joy can we find in this moment, this hour, and throughout this day?

It may come from a memory, a contact, something we see or hear, something that we can do once again that’s been off-limits for quite a while.  There are so many places where we can see things that can be a source of joy.  The key component in having a joyful day – what we choose to see and how we choose to respond.

Let’s commit ourselves to being “joy catchers” today.  Let’s ask God to help us.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy

in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. 

Psalm 16:11

Thank you Lord that you are putting a path before us today that is filled with things that can be a source of joy.  Just knowing You are with us and You are in control is a great place to start.  We aren’t doing today alone no matter what other human contact we have.  You know us.  You     know about what we are going through. 

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him,

and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy,

and with my song I praise him. 

Psalm 28:7

Even though many aspects of life as we know it today are troublesome, we’re grateful that You give us strength to face whatever comes up and You help us.  Over and over again You bring peace of mind and heart so we can think and hear the ideas You are giving us to do well today if we just listen for Your voice with a quiet heart.  Thank you for your patience and commitment to do this season of the pandemic together.  You must laugh at some of the silly ways we get all twisted up but You still stick with us and help us sort things out. 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 

Psalm 51:12

Lord, we never want to forget what life would be like if You hadn’t rescued us with our self-willed path to destruction.  The complications You’ve sorted out or us.  The sins You’ve forgiven.  The restoration You’ve brought about in so many relationships so many times over.  How could we not be joyful that You are our Saviour when we reflect on that?

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Psalm 90:14

And so today we simply choose to welcome Your love into our lives until our hearts are full and satisfied.  If we’re feeling edgy we take a few moments right now to remember and to invite You to fill us up with Your love until our hearts are satisfied and we are able to sing for joy in this day. 

We will choose joy over everything else, one choice at a time.  Help us to faithfully and consistently do that Holy Spirit.  Amen