Day 14 of Finding Joy in the Journey
Ecclesiastes 8:15
So I commend the enjoyment of life because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.
Today we kick off with another FAQ from Joyful Journey:
Can people abuse Immanuel journaling by claiming their thoughts and feelings are from God?
The basic purpose of Immanuel journaling focuses on developing a mind that mirrors how God thinks about the daily business of our lives. To want to elevate anything from Immanuel journaling to the status of “God said” is already an abuse. A better phrase might be, “I am feeling more peaceful now since I am able to see the situation (or person) the way God sees than before I journaled.”
~ page 67, Joyful Journey, Wilder, Kang, Loppnow, Loppnow. See pages 67-68 for further potential abuses.
Session A: We continue revisiting joyful memories recorded on your Golden Moments list. Look for God’s presence in the joys. Invite Him to share thoughts about joys you’re recalling. Again, notice body sensations, attitudes, heart rate, etc.
Journal Prompt:
Practice seeing God in the present and past joys
Key Words:
I, the Son of God, author your days “under the sun,” including your daily bread, drink, and work. It makes Me glad when you enjoy life, eating and drinking with a glad heart.
Afternoon Session
Isaiah 55:12
For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Author Chris Coursey writes, “We all need a manageable rhythm in which we balance times of high energy joy with low energy peace. Some of this starts with just paying attention to our calendar. We need to plan ahead for the rest we need. It is also important to pay attention to our own sense of being overwhelmed and recognizing when we need a break.”
~ page 63, The 4 Habits, Warner, Coursey
From the Joyful Journey book:
The first step in interactive gratitude is voicing our appreciation to God. The next step involves writing down our impression of what God is thinking and saying to us. There are many questions that arise for us when we attempt to write down our impressions of what God might be saying to us. Some of the questions that arise are:
- How can we be sure that are impression of God's response to us is not just from our imagination or what we want to hear?
- Could these thoughts be lies from Satan?
- God only speaks through the Bible, doesn't He?
Session B: Remember, you can share your joy stories with others for your 5 minutes. It builds community and spreads the joy
Journal Prompt:
What is your appreciation for God?
Key Words:
Under My care, you can go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you will break forth into singing, and the trees of the field will clap their hands. Can you picture that with Me?
Evening Session
From the Joyful Journey book:
We may find writing God's response is difficult if we think we are putting words in God's mouth. We know we are capable of misunderstanding what God might be saying to us, yet the greater danger arises from never attempting or desiring to understand what God might be saying to us to guide us.
~ page 19, Joyful Journey, Wilder, Kang, Loppnow, Loppnow
Psalm 100:1-2
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.
Prayer
Lord God, I am but one part of the earth, but I join creation in shouting joyfully to You Lord! I am but one person, but I commit to serve You Lord with gladness and come before you with songs of joy.
Amen.
I give everyone and everything to You God;
I give everyone and everything to You.