3 Ways to Find Joy in the Mundane

It was late and I was tired. I was feeling perpetually behind on the day's tasks but knew I needed to begin preparing for the next day. I was tempted to feel defeated and frustrated when my habit of hiding God's Word in my heart kicked in.

I heard that still small voice of the Holy Spirit say to me:

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. -John 15:11 KJV

Immediately I felt the peace of God upon me and knew exactly what I needed to do in order to find joy in the mundane tasks of every day life. Today I am sharing with you the exact three things I did in order to regain the joy God promises His people.

3 Ways to Find Joy in the Mundane

1. Surrender your (unhealthy) emotions to God. In this particular case I needed to submit my frustrations and unwarranted feelings of defeat to my Heavenly Father. God commands us in His word to "cast our cares" upon Him and that He will sustain us (Psalm 55:22); and so I did.

I immediately began to pray and share my heart with God. I told him my feelings of inadequacy and the temptation to feel like a failure. I told him how tired I was in my body and mind. I asked Him to strengthen me and fill me with His joy. And you know what happened? He did! Our faithful God gave me His joy so I could continue to finish the tasks at hand.

2. Refuse any thought that does not line up with God's Word. I know sometimes this is easier said than done; but I promise that if you continue to build this habit over time you will be able to do it. One Scripture that we've taught our children to use as a marker to measure their thoughts against can be found in Philippians 4:8:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

My husband and I also use this verse when bad thoughts try to enter our mind. If what we are thinking about is not pure, lovely, admirable, or excellent, we know it was sent as a distraction.

3. Simply choose joy. Yes it really is as simple as choosing. Every second of every day (except when we are sleeping) we make choices. One of the choices that needs to become a high priority in your life to avoid complacency is joy. One way that has helped me meditate on what's God's Word says about joy is through using my 30-Day Scripture Journals. This means that I am choosing joy for 30 days in a row. Writing it, reading it, meditating on it. And it works.

Joy is a choice, dear friends. Joy is a promise from a Holy God who never goes back on His Word. Joy is a fullness of life that only comes when we choose to receive His gift. Joy is the best way to live because we have so much to be thankful for. Will you choose joy today?

Choosing Joy With You,
Carlie Kercheval
Learning to Speak Life Books™