1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
New International Version (NIV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I have been reading my way through the Bible. Those of you who have found yourself in the middle of a good book like 50 Shades of Grey or Harry Potter, you know it is on your mind constantly. For me the Bible is having that effect, throughout the Bible it speaks of finding and keeping your joy and rejoicing constantly. I am just not that kind of person. I am a realist, extremely sarcastic, grumbly and complain a lot. I admire people who are super optimistic, happy and joyful. I have been working on this personality flaw and mostly I am failing. I do really well until I leave the house. Usually once a week I have to go to Walmart and I feel this is a test for me to try to keep my joy. I figure if I go in rejoicing and I stay happy throughout my shopping experience and leave joyful, I win.
So far I would give myself a D.
Last week I was doing well and then I went to the meat counter. I was waiting and waiting, even though I was the only one in line. From the produce section I see a woman in scrubs coming with a small child in a cart. I thought I would let her go first, I always hated waiting in line with the girls when they were young. As she was getting to the counter the lady said who can I help and before I could give away my turn, she said I'll take . . . Oh, but I kept my joy and smiled because I passed the test. But, oh then she ordered turkey and sucked the joy out of my meat counter experience. :)
Today while back at Walmart. I was almost out the door when the cashier said "how are you"? I am changing my response to wonderful, great, couldn't be better, you know something besides fine. She said I can't believe the price of groceries, and then went on to say I don't know how they expect us to live, they are just so expensive, last week I spent blah blah! She finally took a breath for me to squeeze in well as Americans we do have the cheapest food supply of anyone in the world. Her response, and that is hard to believe and think of those poor people. I then went on to say if I hadn't bought these pre-packaged items and I had only bought a bag of potatoes, meat and some vegetables, my bill would have been a lot cheaper. She said "yeah but I like the convenience items". I then just smiled and thought to myself with sound of the game losing buzzer in my head and the thought of loser - you just lost your joy at Walmart again. When will I learn?
How do you keep your joy? - Please share!
Don't go to Walmart! :)
ReplyDeleteWhere do you grocery shop?
DeleteI lost my joy quite quickly the other night when I realized that a part on a car had failed. It was a part that a friend and I had just spent a 10 hour day replacing. I literally wanted to cry. It may seem childish but every minute I spend fixing a vehicle usually turns into another day I don't spend with my children. I went to town that night to get my daughter and I kept telling myself I had to give it to God. On the way home as I was talking to my daughter a wave of relief just came over me and I was just happy to have time with her. Yes the part still needs fixed, but since then when I think about it, it seems to be a lot less burdensome. It's very hard, but we have to continue to give our problems and "issues" to God. He will fix them when HE is ready. Until then embrace how you were born. Know this. Knowing you and your personality... It is refreshing to hear you speak what we all know others are thinking...THE TRUTH
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