Tuesday, October 8, 2024:
Joy in the Gospels (morning)
John 16:22
So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
Pondering Point
This “Returning to Joy” selection is part of Jesus’ conversation with the disciples the night of His arrest. They were in sorrow over His words about departure. Jesus Himself was in great sorrow that night (Matthew 26:38). But He faced that sorrow by connecting with His Father in prayer.
That connection gave Jesus confidence knowing that His Father would take care of Him through the difficult events ahead of Him – all the way thorough the resurrection. That is why, for the joy set before Him, He could endure the cross.
Matthew 26:38
Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
From the book Joyful Journey:
Can you imagine how different life would be if we came to the place where we could confidently face all our troubles and trials without getting stuck because we are connected (attached) to our Father who shares this experience with us? This is what Jesus modeled for us over and over again.
~ Wilder, Kang, Loppnow, Loppnow, Joyful Journey, page 37.
For your prayer time, envision Jesus
sharing these words with you
I know your sorrows. So does Father. We have not left you alone. We also know your joys. Let no one take them from you – particularly your joy over Us!
I attached you to the Father who shares all of your experience with you. Stand strong with Us!
Pray aloud
Thank you, Father, and Jesus, for knowing my sorrows. Thank you for not leaving me alone.
Thank you for knowing my joys and not letting anyone take those from me. You and the Father are included in my joys!
Help me to stand strong with you, the Father and the Holy Spirit when I am weak, when I am having hard times or when I am misdirected.
Amen.
Five Minutes
Use your GO TO JOYS and ANTICIPATED JOYS to fill a 5-minute window. Remember: use an alarm. If necessary, review the explanation.
Read the identity in Christ
statement aloud
In Christ, I am connected to Father God and nothing can separate me from Him and His love. And
Closing Prayer
Close with thanks to God for these moments together.
Ask Him to bless the upcoming day, then…
GO – in JOY, with JOY anticipating JOY
Tuesday, October 8, 2024:
Sometime During Your Day
Level 3: Savoring joys of the past.
Journal Prompt:
What is a joy memory of God or people getting you through hard times?
Key Words:
Not-always-happy Joy (evening)
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Pondering Point
Not only did Jesus desire His Heavenly Father to be with Him (and us) in the struggles, He wanted His friends with Him too.
Jesus said to [His disciples], “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Pray aloud
Thank You for bringing me through the day.
As I prepare to review the day, don’t let the sorrows overwhelm the joys. Train me to see the joys.
Review
Scour the day for ANTICIPATED or SURPRISE JOYS. You are training your brain to look for joy. This builds the habit. Recall the body sensations and emotion.
This solidifies the habit. Remember: use an alarm
Read the identity in Jesus
statement aloud
In Jesus, we are able to view sorrows in the light of God’s promise to work things together for good, enabling us to return to joy despite difficulties.
Evening Prayer
Thank God for blessing the day, ask for peaceful rest, then GO to sleep – in grateful JOY, anticipating new JOY tomorrow under His grace.