How to discover joy
It’s Christmas weekend! And I want to complete the holiday and share with some of you how to discover joy.
I discovered true joy when I was 25 years old and over the years learned the difference between happiness and joy.
Up to that point, I had attended regular church services, but one day I discovered God was more than a service.
My path to discover joy had been a rocky one up to that day.
I do not always feel happy and this past year there were too many days I did not feel it.
However, joy never leaves me.
In today’s world, depression is up…suicides are up…drug usage is up…and as the world pushes Jesus aside, joy is lost.
One of my personal missions, is to share with as many as will listen there is always joy.
HOW TO DISCOVER JOY
I am not a religious person and actually am not into “religion” at all.
I do have a real, live, thriving relationship with the baby we celebrate this weekend…Jesus.
It is that relationship that fuels my joy. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt…He exists and is alive right now.
I know God was with me when I was attacked last May.
The attacker terrified me but did not steal my joy.
God and His Almighty Spirit was right there, and, miraculously turned the man away.
During my illness this past fall, God was there…He once again saw me through.
During my grandson’s illness, He was there.
I pray continually …over everything.
I know in this world I will face tribulation, but Praise God, He has come to overcome the world.
As I watch so many romantic Christmas movies this time of year, I am reminded that the greatest love story of all is between us and God.
So, on this Christmas weekend, I pray you will come to know the Savior of the World and understand that joy is always there for you.
It grows as we grow to know Him and trust Him and His Word.
If you have doubts, just look up and ask God, the Father, to show you He is real. He will.
Please feel free to email me or reach out if you ever want to discuss Jesus and how to discover joy.
I will be taking a few days off from the blog until early next week.
No matter what you celebrate…enjoy your weekend immensely.
I hope to return with new inspiration for the year ahead….lots of fashion fun too.
I love everyone in this audience…
KEEP SMILING AND MAY YOU DISCOVER JOY EACH DAY!
By Pamela Lutrell
Well said. People have called me “religious” and I explain that the rules and man-made rituals of religion are not the same as having a real, abiding relationship with Jesus. Joy has not a single thing to do with circumstances or feelings. As you said, that’s happiness. Our culture has so distorted the meaning that the majority of people think joy equates to good things happening and a “happy” frame of mind. Love has been similarly distorted (I “love” her shoes” “I love bacon”, etc.) I’m not at all proud of my past either, quite the opposite, and it took me years of wading through our culture’s misrepresentation of joy to discover that I don’t have to plaster a smile on my face and pretend things are good when they’re not to have”joy”. Thank you for bringing this up. I think there are a lot of people bombarded with words like ‘love’ and ‘joy’ who are thinking they missed out. I’d be in sad shape if I thought joy means good times! Merry Christmas Pam!
Merry Christmas, Karen!
You and Karen have both expressed well how I feel. Many times in my life I have felt God’s presence in my life. I have often said that I do not know hoe people get through their lives without a firm faith that God is in control and knows our innermost concerns and fears. He calms those fears and gives us strength to carry on no matter the circumstances. I don’t think I’ve ever associated my faith with my inner joy but I realize they are definitely intertwined. Thank you for the pleasure, fun and introspection you give me daily. I know without doubt that you will have a fun-filled, happy time with those grandchildren and children as you and Mr. B celebrate the birth of Jesus. Merry, Merry Christmas!
A blessed Merry Christmas to you, Celia!
Merry Christmas, Pam! You always give us something to think about. This was a surprising and thought- filled sharing this morning.
Thank you for your words and sharing your joy! I am there with you, knowing that Jesus is with me in this world. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Deborah!
Merry Christmas, Anne!
Merry and blessed Christmas to you and yours, Pam. I appreciate what you share with us. Here’s to joy in 2023!
Well said Pam. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family. We are in a big blizzard and going nowhere but still able to chat with family and friends so will be fine. Joy is still here. Best to all the readers.
May Joy overflow in all of our hearts! Merry Christmas!
Pam, we love you ! You are a courageous woman, always willing to share, and in a JOYFUL manner. I’m so glad I found you on this blog. You enrich your readers’ lives. Merry Christmas to you, and many good wishes to everyone here.
Praise God, Jesus never leaves us no matter the circumstances! Merry Christmas, Diane!
Bless you, Marcia! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for your words today. My husband and I are going through a difficult time this December. It is with our church. Without going into the specifics, we find ourselves at odds with the actions of most of our members. We are bible believing Christian’s and truly believe in Jesus. My joy is constant with him, however, it has waned with our congregation. He will never fail.
Julie, I am adding your situation to my prayer list. I know that God will answer and give you wisdom and direction for handling the situation. His Holy Spirit is there to guide us in times like this.
I am so glad that you know the living Christ. Blessings…
Perfectly said! Blessings and joy to all.
And to you, Linda!!
Thank you, Pam. And have a great holiday with your family.
Thank you, Donna! Merry Christmas!
Beautifully shared. Merry Christmas! ❤️🎄
Merry Christmas, Connie!
May God richly bless you and your family this holiday season. What a blessing you are to me. Thank you sweet sister in Christ. Jesus IS the reason for the season!
Bless you, Debbie, for spending time with me! May God fill you with His joy!
“I bring you good news that will bring great JOY to ALL people. The Savior—yes the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem.”
Pamela, I so appreciated your post today and for sharing that this Christmas miracle
is the source of joy for all of us and is available for each one of us. Blessings to you and your family. 💕
Thank you, Kathy! He came for All people!
Christmas blessings to you and your family!
When I think of joy I think of you. This is a wonderful post for Christmas. May you have a sweet Christmas with your loved ones and may the coming year be filled with good health, laughter and peace. Merry Christmas.
You are so sweet, Claudette. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Pamela to you and all your loved ones.
With appreciation of your insight. Warmly -Brenda-
Merry Christmas, Brenda! Thank you for being here.
Thank you for this. It would be very nice to hear your story of how you found joy in your mid-twenties. In spite of being quite sure that God’s plan is happening and will happen and having peace about it, I sometimes do not have joy. This is the season to reflect on joy.
We all have those moments, Elle, you are not alone. My testimony is a long one…difficult family life in my home and looking for love in all the wrong places as a young adult. But one night of sadness and despair, I cried out to God for help and His Holy Spirit showed up. From that time on I began to walk closer with Him for I knew He existed. I became saturated in His Word and over time developed a strong prayer life. I know His Voice. If you ever want to talk further, please let me know.
Beautifully written Pam, I also thank my Guardian Angel. Many times I have been in situations when I say Thank you God and my Angel whoever you are.
Do you believe in Angels?
Absolutely!! The Bible confirms the existence of angels!
Merry Christmas, Pam!
Thank you so much for your positive attitude and sharing your joy! I’m so very glad to have found your blog!
I am so glad you are here, Beth!
Pam,
You made my day by reminding me of my blessings. For, I too, have joy in my heart and soul because of my real relationship with Jesus.
He takes away fear and anxiety, and replaces them with peace beyond our understanding.
God Keep you in the new year.
Marilynn
Thank you for sharing, Marilynn. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your grrowing family, Pamela! I wish you all joy in this season.
I appreciate your blog and thoughts. You bring happiness with you. Best, Maeve
Thank you, Maeve! Merry Christmas!
Beautifully stated. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. We are very fortunate to have a Savior the Lord Jesus Christ
You may not want to post this but I find joy & nurturing in nature. In challenging times sitting by the ocean, walking in the woods and meditation centers and calms me. I think it’s the sounds, smells and feeling of the warmth of sun or the breeze, sometimes salty wind, touching my face. You have your and I have mine. Merry Christmas 🎄
Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas. May all those traveling through the treacherous weather during this holy weekend be in God’s care and arrive safely at their destinations.
Thank you, Linda! I pray everyone is safe!
Makes perfect sense that in all of God’s majestic creation you would experience joy, Lois. Sometimes joy overflows within me at a glorious sunrise or sunset. God creates masterpieces all around us. Thanks for sharing!
Amen, Jan!
I appreciate your genuine words. Have a joyful Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Kathye.
A musician friend of mine wrote a song with a line I love: “Don’t let your worry steal your joy.” Being sick for most of December and having my pneumonia return with a vengeance on the 23rd was definitely not how my first retirement Christmas was supposed to go. But I decided to spend the time in my sickbed focusing on the “Emmanuel” part of the season; GOD WITH US. As a lifelong believer this wasn’t a new idea, just one I never chose to focus on before. Even with a high fever, I could find my joy in knowing He was in the midst of it with me. Here’s to a brighter year ahead for all of us! Belated Christmas blessings to you and yours, Pamela! Your posts brighten my days year round, and I’m grateful for you sharing your heart.
I am so sorry you are sick again. I will lift up a healing prayer for you!
Bless youandMerry Christmas! I so appreciate your sharing of Jesus. Please keep up the good work and May your New Year be blessed and happy.