So, what are you wearing today?

"She knew JOY was one of her best accessories, so she made up her mind to wear it every day."

(Dayspring)

I've already had my say about Joy in the past.  But I want to revisit it because it's topic that I think is easy to forget about or get distracted from.  And besides I'm taking a year to focus on Gratitude which are the seeds that Joy blooms from so I'm thinking about Joy again in new ways, and even in some old ways!

A couple of years ago some friends and I took one month and honed in on Joy through purposed prayer.  I was excited to pursue, intentionally, this attribute that God speaks very clearly about.  In addition to pursuing Joy in prayer I had picked up the book, "One Thousand Gifts", to read for my book club.  Yes, it definitely seemed like God had more to share with me on the subject of Joy.

The "rules" of the prayer for Joy were simple.  No chatting and talking about anything, just seeking God about Joy.  We all had work to do so we kept it simple and to the point.  We were in and out of that Prayer Room in 10 minutes or less every day.  But it was the most profound and sweet 10 minutes or less of my work days during that month.  So much so that I'm thinking of starting it back up again, after all I can't think of one person who doesn't need a reminder of Joy every so often! And not only did it connect me to God in deeper ways but it gave me connection to the people I prayed with in deeper ways.  It really is amazing how God will use the most simple and humble and honest words uttered from our hearts and mouths to transform. 

Some of what God spoke to me was refresher from past lessons learned about Joy, right down to some of the same scriptures.  And some of what he spoke to me was a deeper place than I had been before.  I was so grateful for the refresher and for the deeper places he took me. 

Because I believe lessons God gifts us with should be shared let's chat a bit about Joy, shall we?  It is the most important accessory we possess and we shouldn't leave the house without it.  Without it our souls are naked, cold, and vulnerable.  Joy is warmth, covering, and hospitable. 

• God has written it on our hearts and into our spirits.  He is the author of Joy. 
• Joy is a deeper and more profound response when we exercise it without promise or even hope that a change or a blessing is going to happen.  When we can be joyful in the "in betweens" with no guarantee of any change in our circumstances then we have truly grasped joy.  Habakkuk 3:17-18
• I need to grow in my trust in order to "get" Joy.  They are related.  If God sets something before me and tells me it is a gift of Joy for me but I can't believe that it is and I can't believe he really considers it Joy when my flesh perspective says it isn't then I don't trust God and his motives, character, or heart.  If God calls it Joy then it is and if I can't believe that then I need to work on trusting him.  James 1:2
• Why is trusting God so hard?  He has never broken trust with anyone so the problem is me. I project on to God the trust that has been broken with me by others.  Romans 15:13
• Joy is the key that unlocks the prison.  The prison of ungratefulness, bitterness, resentment, etc.  
• Psalm 16:11, His presence is Joy.
• We have Joy when we are connected to God.  He is the one who can grow true Joy in us.  John 15

So, what are you wearing today?  If your attitude is leaning toward anger or ungratefulness might I suggest the accessory of Joy and see what happens?  When Joy is worn the whole "outfit", er attitude, changes.