How to Find Your Inner Joy (That’s Already There)

I recently wrote an article about finding your joy. I mentioned the key to doing so is to look inside of you because that’s where your joy always is. You seek joy there instead of looking for it on the outside in circumstances, people, or activities. I recently heard a message about this that provides a different take on this, and felt the need to share.

Many people are aware that the best place to find joy is within themselves. They know true joy is there, yet they still struggle to experience it. I live in Buffalo NY. Winter here is very difficult. Besides the large amounts of snow we receive, it is very often cloudy and dark. We regularly go days, and sometimes even weeks, without seeing the sun. Does that mean the sun is not there? Does it completely disappear? We know that it does not. The sun is always there. We just don’t see it because it is blocked by the constant interference of clouds and precipitation. When this interference disappears, the beauty of the sun is visible again, we feel its warmth, and we experience its benefits.

This is also true of the unlimited joy we all have. It is always there, all within us. So why do we not experience this joy often enough? It’s because of all the interference we allow that clouds the light of God in us. What is that interference? It’s the constant chatter in our minds, and the negative thoughts and feelings we allow to get in the way that are blocking the light of God’s love. As a result, we don’t experience it, and our lives become dark and depressing, just like the Buffalo winter.

Once again I remind you that the joy you wish to experience is not something you have to go searching for. You already have it and will always carry it right there with you. Here is the key… don’t focus on going out and finding joy. Instead, figure out what is interfering with the joy you already have. Simply clear the clouds of negativity and let them dissipate.

You don’t have to be controlled by your thoughts. Instead, you control them. Any thought that you don’t want, you simply command that it leaves your mind. It’s your choice to keep or dismiss any thoughts. I believe this is what the Bible means when it says to take each thought captive. Focus instead on what you want, and what is good, noble, and praiseworthy.

I realize this is often easier said than done. I’ve been aware of this information for a long time, yet I still fall into this trap more times than I care to admit. I allow the negative thoughts to interfere and block the light far more than the Buffalo clouds. I recommend that if you find this difficult, then ask God for help. He always comes through. There have been times where the winter darkness has been so depressing here, that I’ve asked God to have the sun shine for once. It often happens. He also answers quickly when I ask to see more of His light as well. I believe He will do the same for you. Ask Him to remove the negative clouds from your mind, and I know He will come through and help. Then His love, light, and joy come through, and instead of darkness, you can experience heaven on earth. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

Two Words to Help You Find Joy

One of the main goals people have is to experience joy in life. For some, it is easier than others. One of the greatest questions is how and where to find that joy.

People seek joy in many different places, such as life experiences, relationships, money, and careers just to name a few. Another question is, why do so many people have a hard time finding joy? I have learned and been recently reminded again, that it’s because they are looking in the wrong places for it. I have often been guilty of this myself.

So how and where do we find this joy that is so often elusive for so many? I can sum it up in two words…. Look inside. Look inside what? Look inside you. It’s so simple. In fact I believe it is too simple, which is why so many people miss it. There are verses all over the Bible that state that the spirit of God is in you. Since that spirit is in you, it is a part of you. You are in union with it! And one of the fruits of that spirit is joy.

You don’t have to go looking for joy. It is already in you and already part of your being. You automatically carry joy, along with the other fruits of the spirit such as love, peace, self-control, etc. with you wherever you are.

Knowing you are already the joy you are seeking, the challenge is to switch your focus. Instead of seeking joy, let the joy that already are shine out from you. How do you do this? There are many ways. What has worked for me is to focus on that joy in me, and also to focus my thoughts on the good in everyone and everything else. Another idea is to watch your thoughts. Remove any thought that interferes with the joy that is already part of you. Doing this follows the Biblical advice to take each thought captive. Feed your mind with joyful thoughts. Ones that are good, noble, and praiseworthy, which is another bit of Biblical advice. Remove the ones that have the potential to cloud the light of the joy that is in you.

I realize that this is a very simple, and basic post. However, as I mentioned before, this concept does not have to be complicated. Remember that joy is already yours. You already have it and are it. Instead of seeking it, let it shine forth brightly from you, without any interference. The Bible says it is God’s will that we are joyful always. Why not follow this advice and deliberately experience this joy that is a part of all of us. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

A Quick and Easy Way to Increase Your Joy

If you haven’t already noticed, there seems to be a severe lack of joy in today’s world. In some ways, it’s understandable. There is a global pandemic going on that has really stood this world on its head. Jobs have been lost, as well as the ability to socialize and do things that we are so used to doing. I will say though, that this drought of joy has been happening since well before the pandemic. In many cases and many places, people just aren’t happy.

Why is this the case? And what can we do about it? I believe I have a fairly simple solution. You may even think I am oversimplifying this, but I don’t believe I am. Just hear (or should I say read) me out, and you may ultimately see that what I am saying makes sense. Hopefully, especially if you’ve been lacking joy in your life, you can see that it’s very easy to get it back.

The words I share with you are not my own. They come from the Bible, and Psalm 16:11. The verse says, “in your presence is fullness of joy.” One version says “your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever.” That’s it. What’s the way to true joy? Simply remaining in the presence of God.

As I reflected on this, I found several examples of its truth. First, it shows why meditation and prayer are so powerful. When you meditate, you are deliberately bringing yourself and keeping yourself in the presence of God. In prayer, you are actually communicating with that presence. I was also reminded of this by some powerful memories. When I was in my mid-20s, I was the co-leader of a youth group in my church. We often had retreat weekends. These times were amazing, and I experienced emotional highs that would carry over for days after these events were over. That’s because, for the entire weekend, myself and a group of about 40 people were all completely focused on the presence of God. When you have a group like that where everyone is completely focused on God, deep, positive emotions run even higher. After those retreats, I felt like I could accomplish anything because I was so aware and confident of God’s presence.

As I reflected on this, I was reminded that I don’t need a retreat weekend to experience this same joy that being in God’s presence creates. I can take the time at any part of the day just to reflect on God’s presence. The more I do this, the more comfort and joy I feel. The same is true for you. If you are lacking joy or looking for more of it in your life, simply seeking the presence of God as often as possible can enable you to experience that joy. I understand that even being close to God doesn’t guarantee all negative situations will magically disappear. Sometimes God brings trials and difficulty into our lives for a reason. However, I can tell you from experience that if you increase the amount of time you spend in God’s presence and deliberately focus on Him and His wonderful love and promises, you will also increase the amount of joy in your life. As I look back I see that the times of greatest joy throughout my life were also the times where I was closest to God and consistently focusing on and living in His presence.

The great thing about this is that, as your level of joy increases, it’s contagious! As your joy level and positive energy increases, it positively affects the energy around you. That means as you are more joyful, it automatically brings greater joy to those around you! You don’t have to say or do a thing. It just happens. I see it in my own life all the time. If I am down and in a negative mood, I seem to get the same negative emotions back from everyone. However, when my joy and overall vibration is positive, I receive so much positivity and joy from other people. They enjoy my company and want to be with me. They laugh at my stupid jokes. They are willing to go out of their way to do things for me. All kinds of positive things happen. And it’s simply because my level of joy is at a high level. And that is a result of quality time spent in the presence of God.

Yes, I believe it is that simple. Again, spending as much time as possible in God’s presence won’t automatically make all of your problems go away. However, it will bring your joy to such a high level that you will look at those problems differently. You will be much less likely to allow them to depress you and instead will help you find the solutions that will ultimately help them disappear much more easily. More importantly, you will enjoy the great things in life so much more, and add a great deal of joy that this world desperately needs. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

Joy is Your Natural State

It is very true that people are always looking for more joy in their lives. Millions of dollars are made on books and programs that show people how they can be happier and more joyful. In fact, we have our greatest desires not so we can feel more accomplished or successful. We have our greatest desires because we believe they will bring us greater joy and a more rewarding life experience.

The problem with this is that we are searching in all of the wrong places for our joy. I’m not saying it’s wrong to read books or do things that we believe will make us happier. Nor am I saying we shouldn’t have the dreams and desires that we do. What I am saying is that we don’t have to go looking on the outside for the joy we are so desperately craving. Instead, we need to realize that joy is at the essence of our being. It is one of the fruits of the spirit that we are all part of. Joy is not something we need to go out and find. If we can spend enough time to meditate on who we really are, and realize that love, joy, peace and the other fruits of the spirit are our true, intended states of being, then we won’t have to seek joy. It will automatically manifest because, again, joy is our natural state. Sadness, anger, and negative emotions are NOT natural. They are only emotional states that we bring upon ourselves.

I understand that things happen in our lives that make it difficult to experience joy. People or experiences hurt us, or we lose people in our lives because of disagreement, break-up, or death. I’m not at all saying that we shouldn’t feel sad in those circumstances or angry at an injustice. At the same time, I am saying that we shouldn’t let any circumstance determine the level of joy we experience in our lives.

The question that may be asked now is, “how do I allow this joy that is my natural state to manifest in my world?” There are several ways you can do this. These work for me, so I share them with you. First, as I mentioned earlier, take breaks throughout the day in meditation, reflection, prayer, or whatever you want to call it. Reflect upon the fact that the spirit of God lives in you. It is part of your essence. Remember again that joy is one of the fruits of that spirit. The Bible also says that when you seek that spirit first, above all else, you receive all else (all else shall be added onto you)! That includes joy.

Another helpful hint is to actually do things that make you feel joyful. Whenever you can find time during the day, do something that makes you happy. Listen to your favorite music. Take a nature walk. Play a game. Talk to a friend. Anything you can do that will increase your level of joy.

It is also said that emotions follow the action. That’s why I always recommend smiling as much as possible. When you carry a smile on your face, it automatically brings more joy. This never fails!! Even when I’ve been in the worst of moods, and I’m forcing the fake smile on my face, it always gets me out of the funk, and the smile becomes real, and the level of joy increases. Sticking with this theme, it’s also true that the more you focus on joy, the more reasons in life you will be given to be joyful.

Once again I will say it. Joy is your natural state. You don’t have to seek it anywhere else but inside of you. Make it a point to focus on the joy that is a part of you, and you will experience it.

It was certainly a joy to write this. I hope it is equally joyful for you to read it. Have an excellent day 🙂