If you have no joy, there's a leak in your Christianity somewhere.
~Billy Sunday
My mother's mantra is, "Sometimes you have to make your own sunshine." Things don't always go our way. We may not like the doctor's diagnosis. People say unkind -- and sometimes untrue -- words. Life just isn't always fun.
Solomon tried to bring happiness to himself by:
Drinking wine
Seeking wisdom
Making himself famous
Building homes
Planting vineyards
Digging water pools
Buying servants
Gathering flocks and herds
Acquiring gold, silver and treasures
Hiring musicians to sing and to play instruments.
Pursuing pleasure in many women
But at the end of all Solomon's searching he said, "Then I took a good look at everything I’d done, looked at all the sweat and hard work. But when I looked, I saw nothing but smoke. Smoke and spitting into the wind. There was nothing to any of it. Nothing"(Ecclesiastes 2:11).
What was Solomon doing in all his searching? He was looking for happiness that depends on circumstances, not true joy that comes from inside. Joy embraces the promises of God, it focuses on the blessings from God. Most of all, joy encompasses our confidence in God.
Joy in sheltering then is instrumental. Because if we're having a bad day, our joy still reaches out to others. Happiness says, "If I'm not happy, I don't care if anyone else is."
This week, as we shelter, let's shelter from the place in our heart where joy is "in-spite-of." You'll be surprised what happens when your joy is engaged in your sheltering. When you give the fruit, the fruit returns. It will come back, "pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap."
Like my mother, shelter with joy and make your own sunshine. Warm yourself in God's blessings, promises and the confidence you have in Him. Your fruit trees will be full of the joy of the Spirit.
My mother's mantra is, "Sometimes you have to make your own sunshine." Things don't always go our way. We may not like the doctor's diagnosis. People say unkind -- and sometimes untrue -- words. Life just isn't always fun. Solomon tried to bring happiness to himself by:
Drinking wine
Seeking wisdom
Making himself famous
Building homes
Planting vineyards
Digging water pools
Buying servants
Gathering flocks and herds
Acquiring gold, silver and treasures
Hiring musicians to sing and to play instruments.
Pursuing pleasure in many women
But at the end of all Solomon's searching he said, "Then I took a good look at everything I’d done, looked at all the sweat and hard work. But when I looked, I saw nothing but smoke. Smoke and spitting into the wind. There was nothing to any of it. Nothing"(Ecclesiastes 2:11).
What was Solomon doing in all his searching? He was looking for happiness that depends on circumstances, not true joy that comes from inside. Joy embraces the promises of God, it focuses on the blessings from God. Most of all, joy encompasses our confidence in God.
Joy in sheltering then is instrumental. Because if we're having a bad day, our joy still reaches out to others. Happiness says, "If I'm not happy, I don't care if anyone else is."
This week, as we shelter, let's shelter from the place in our heart where joy is "in-spite-of." You'll be surprised what happens when your joy is engaged in your sheltering. When you give the fruit, the fruit returns. It will come back, "pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap."
Like my mother, shelter with joy and make your own sunshine. Warm yourself in God's blessings, promises and the confidence you have in Him. Your fruit trees will be full of the joy of the Spirit.
Share the Shelter
Share the Shelter is open to everyone. I love variety so link your craft and recipes ideas we can use for sheltering. Link your posts that encourage us in our walk with God. We're a family here at the Sheltering Tree so make sure you visit the link before yours. Feel free to leave a prayer request in the comments if you or someone you love needs prayer.
The Fruit of Love Linked to:
15 comments:
Thanks, Pam!
seems today's post is perfect for a JoYful theme ! :))
come along for laugh out loud refreshments ... the kettle's on!
Hi Pam! Yes my friend...only true joy comes from abiding in Him! Thanks for sharing and thanks for hosting! Have a blessed evening!
Oh...how have been Solomon so many times. Thanks for sharing this. It is the truth!!
Oh...how have been Solomon so many times. Thanks for sharing this. It is the truth!!
Oh...how have been Solomon so many times. Thanks for sharing this. It is the truth!!
Oh Pam....with out that I would be a major grump for sure! Haha!! I'm so glad I've got that "joy - joy - joy" down in my heart!
I hope you don't mind...I got a little carried away...3 links. ;-/
it's always amazed me that Solomon was a wise man because he sure made foolish choices.
just like me.
Appreciate your sharing.
Hi Pamela,
Love this! We don’t need a special occasion, something new, or an exciting event to choose happy... those whose hearts are alive with faith recognize the blessings in everyday things; they can be happy for no reason at all! :)
Blessings sweet sister, and thank you for "Sharing the Shelter"!
Denise
You ae so right joy is in the little things. Blessings
It is so true that when you give joy, it comes back to you in abundance. I'm linking up today with a post that feels appropriate. Blessings to you!
This a beautiful post in a beautiful blog with beautiful links. I do not know how to link things and only know the basics. Maybe one day I will delve more into it. God bless.
Pamela, do you remember that old song - "Jesus, and Others, and You - what a wonderful way to spell JOY"??
Seems like it's still good advice.
Seeking joy is an intentional thing. It is choosing to focus on the promises of God and the hope of His sure salvation.
Happiness is fleeting - joy is eternal!
GOD BLESS!
Shelter with joy and make your own sunshine. What wonderful words of wisdom from your mother! Thanks for sharing them with us. Love it.
You are so right - true joy in sheltering really stand out and makes a difference! I've had to ask God to give me that joy more than once!
BTW- Your blog brings JOY to my life -- thanks so much for taking the time out to share your thoughts and wisdom with us! On more than one occasion it has been just what I needed when I needed it!
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