The Secret To Finding Joy
Have you ever been to a home filled with so much laughter and absurd amounts of joy that it almost feels tangible?
I’ve been to a few over the years, and each time I left the home, I thought, “I want what they have.”
In part two of our How to Create a Home Overflowing With Joy series, we explore the secret to creating a joyful home.
If you missed part one of this series (A Wise Woman Builds Her Home: How to Create a Peaceful Home) check it out here.
Psychology tells us to take deep breaths, smile more, and practice gratitude to find more joy, but in this post, we’ll explore what the Bible says about creating a joy-filled life. While those practices aren’t bad or wrong, God’s word is our best resource for living an abundant life.
I’ve always been drawn to the scriptures that say laughter is good medicine and that joy brings healing to our lives (Proverbs 17:22). And a few years ago I saw the impact of this in real life.
At the end of December 2019, my paternal grandfather unexpectedly passed away. One evening, as I reminisced about my Pappy, I told my husband I’d never seen him upset.
I couldn’t remember a time when he didn’t have a smile on his face. The joy of the Lord truly was his strength.
One of the most striking things to me was that he definitely had things he could complain about! Like the fact that he was partially blind or that his bride wasn’t in the best physical condition after having a stroke years prior. Yet whenever I talked to him, I always heard him say, “God is AWESOME!”
A few weeks after my Pappy passed away, my dad turned 60. My mom asked family and friends to send her videos answering the question “What do you think of when you hear the name Tim?”
It was overwhelming how many people said they’d never seen my dad in a bad mood and how his cheerful nature always encouraged them. I believe he received this beautiful trait from his dad.
As I sat thinking about these characteristics, I thought I WANT TO BE LIKE THAT!
How do I find unending joy like this!? Buckets of joy. So much joy that it inevitably overflows into my home!
I may have found one answer to this question.
Love. Pure selfless love. Wait what?! What does love have to do with joy?
Stay with me for a second. My dad and Pappy LOVE others. Without prejudice, without a second thought.
When my husband and I first got together, I’ll be honest I wasn’t sure how my family would react. I grew up in a predominantly white area, and my soon-to-be husband was black.
My Pappy and dad didn’t bat an eye for one second. They immediately embraced him into our family. This is just one example of thousands where they have loved others without abandon.
So what does all of this have to do with JOY!?
The secret to finding this kind of overflowing joy is to follow the two commandments given by Jesus.
What are the two commandments?
Matthew 22:36-39 (NIV):
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
My Pappy and dad do this so well. When we put God first and genuinely love one another, the fruit of joy manifests itself in our lives.
Joy that comes from heaven. Joy that this world can’t take away.
When your heart is focused on love….fear, worry, and criticism fade away.
A critical spirit cannot remain when love overflows in your heart.
To bring all of this together we read in John 15:10-11 (NKJV, Jesus is speaking here):
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Do you want the fruit of joy in your home? Start loving God and loving others.
I once heard a Christian speaker say we should strive to have one good belly laugh a day, for a cheerful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22). I could not agree more. When I think back to some of my best days, they’re always filled with laughter and smiles.
I think most people would agree laughter, smiling and giggles just make life easier. Better. More enjoyable.
How do you bring joy and laughter in to your home?
Scroll down right now and comment below with your secret to finding joy.
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