Dear God, Why does joy seem so easy for others, but so hard for me?

Then God whispered . . . let me tell you a story
Of how joy is meant for you too, Beloved.

Ever feel this way too? I asked God this question recently and I was curious how He’d answer me.

As I approached the new year, a word popped into my head I never associated with myself before. Joy. Sure, I’ve had beautiful moments of joy in my life with God, my friends, and family. But choosing joy intentionally to experience it for myself? To give myself permission to swim in it? Hmm . . . for me, this idea of choosing joy is like visiting Mars. Unchartered territory.

The word joy feels like odd-fitting clothes to wear every day.  Yes, I might take it out once in a while as occasion dictates. But, wait – you want me to choose joy as an everyday experience, God? I turned around to see if God meant to place this word on somebody else’s heart.

You know me, God. I’m the responsible one. The organized one, take care of everyone else, the worry-wart, the nerdy-be-content-and-don’t-make-waves one, the recovering people pleaser.

But, it seemed every time I’d brush the word “joy” away, it felt like a little dandelion puff that wouldn’t leave my fingers. No matter how hard I tried to blow it away, the word “joy” just stayed with me.

Could joy be something you’re longing for more of this year too?

Ever feel this way too? I asked God recently why joy was so hard for me – and He answered me by telling me a story about a tree and someone like me. I hope it inspires you as it did me – because I unexpectedly cried reading it after baring my heart.

I usually read the story of Zacchaeus as being about someone who doesn’t know Jesus, to illustrate how Jesus loves everyone, or as a Bible story for kids.

I never felt like I could relate to Zaccchaeus personally.

But, as I read about Zacchaeus during quiet time, a story from my childhood surfaced and I heard Jesus whisper to me….

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Detox From Stress & Start the New Year Refreshed & Close to God
#WhispersofRest Book Club FB Group Starts January 22, 2018!

Draw close to God & soak in His love & peace by reading my 40day devotional Whispers of Rest: 40 Days of God’s Love to Revitalize Your Soul.
Give or get it on Amazon today to have your copy ready! 😉

SIGN UP for my Book Club FB Group (starts Jan 22, 2018!) at http://whispersofrest.com

Join the book club and I will help you creatively discover what brings you joy and rest.

Take the journey to:

reignite your spark with God’s peace & presence
spark joy with simple soul care you can do every day
nurture your heart with personal prayers
AND we’ll have fun doing it together in community, with kindred spirits!