The ABCs of Contagious Joy
During this week of Thanksgiving. we are adding an opportunity to give thanks to God for what we call the ABCs of contagious joy. James 1:17 tells us:
1 John 1:3-4
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.
~ The Apostle John
It has become known that, as we take time to recall and reflect on our joys in life, we re-experience them in our brains.1 We also know that when we relate such joys to others, they are experienced anew by both us and those with whom we share. 2 In other words, our joy becomes contagious. And for those of us who count ourselves disciples of Jesus, we know all good gifts ultimately come from God.
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
What to Do
Each day you choose to do so, we encourage you to pause for a moment and then record (and thank God for)
JOY A – One thing that you APPRECIATED over the last 24 hours
This could include nature’s joys like sunrise, sunset, sunshine, rain or rainbows, moon, stars, birds, animals, plants, etc. It could be acts of excellence like a beautifully thrown spiral or perfectly executed routine. It might be a finely-crafted piece of literature or a well-written note. It could be audio or visual art – you get the picture.
JOY B – One thing, activity, or encounter you count as a BLESSING
You might consider what someone did for you – or which you got to do for someone else. Phone call, text, drop in. It might relate to you or someone else’s personal health physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, financially. We will save relationally for the next letter:
JOY C – A CONNECTION with another person that brought you joy
This is what it sounds like: Rejoicing over connections that you have enjoyed in the last 24 hours, from simple encounters with cashiers or other wait staff to close friends and lifelong family.
We further encourage you to share some of your joys when you gather with your micro-group(s) or small group. Imagine all the joy that can be experienced between just a few people! The rest of the journal is to reflect on your day with God, including but not limited to IMMERSION (and/or other devotions), insights, questions and prayers for the moment and maybe later. The journal is a great resource for recalling your week in your groups.
We encourage you to use a journal to write some of your greatest joys in life, called golden moments. The goal is to pull out this list when you are lacking joy or overwhelmed with emotions that are hard to shake. Whenever you use it, take at least five minutes (total) to dwell on this joy list with either God or someone else. It will literally change you.
My Golden Moments of Joy
Write in your journal personal stories of joy from your past. They can be one-time events or repetitive experiences. They can be a recent as yesterday or back to the days of your childhood. We can draw joy memories from other seasons of life to assist us when we are low in joy in the current moment or season.
Monday... in the spirit of Thanksgiving
Take in a breath, hold it temporarily, then release it slowly. Repeat if desired. Consider using the Wild At Heart Pause app.
JOY A – One thing I APPRECIATED (over the last 24 hours)
JOY B – One thing, activity or encounter I count as a BLESSING
JOY C – A CONNECTION with another person that brought me joy
Thank God!
Now thank God as the giver of all good gifts like these (James 1:17).
With whom could you share these joys to enable them to become contagious?
Bonus questions that we ask at HOPE: How is God growing me? How is God using me to grow others.