Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Choose Joy

By: Jenifer Metzger

I live in the Midwest where we have had insane amounts of bitter cold temps, snow, and ice. My son's puppy has been here a month and has never seen the ground with anything other than snow and ice. Our outside Christmas decorations are still up because it has just been too cold to take care of it. To say I am tired of snow and cold is a vast understatement.

As I sit here and type this, our forecast is calling for another night of non stop snow with an accumulation of around eight inches. For all of my snow loving friends, I will admit that snow is pretty to look at. If I could have snow in a warm and safe 60° I would love it. But the cold and unsafe driving conditions drive me batty.

While I was going about my night grumbling about the temperatures in the teens with a windchill even lower and snow moving in, I ran across this quote on Facebook: If you choose to not find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow.



I can honestly tell you that I sighed so loud when reading that quote that I scared my dogs! My One Word for 2018 was joy. I wanted to find joy and here I am complaining and grumbling and losing joy over something like weather!

Our complaining does not change situations. Our grumbling doesn't solve problems. And our whining certainly doesn't bring sunshine and warmer temperatures.

We just have to find joy. We have to choose joy.

What is that thing you have been complaining about lately? What is the thing that has been stealing your joy? Is it the weather? Is it your busy schedule? A too hard to potty train toddler? A husband that won't put his shoes away? Whatever it is, remember that complaining won't change it. So why not face it with joy?







It's time for Share A Link Wednesday! Each Wednesday we invite you to leave a link to your latest blog post in the comments. We still desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories.


18 comments:

  1. Oh, heavens, yes! I need this reminder before my eyes all the time. Joy is a choice!
    Here's my latest post: https://michelemorin.wordpress.com/2019/02/20/search-church-home/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michele, oh! Don't we all need this reminder!? Thank you for stopping in and sharing your link.

      Delete
  2. That comment you posted from Facebook is so profound. I'm having trouble with rain and overcast skies - have had them for what seems like ages and will likely have them the rest of this week, with flash flooding in areas. An occasional rainy day is one thing, but a prolonged period like this makes the gloom out the windows seep into the soul. I am glad our temperatures are more moderate than usual for February and all this isn't snow and ice. But grumbling about it, even if only in spirit, only increases its power over me and keeps me from joy. Since I can't do anything about the weather except pray and leave it to God, how much better to focus on being and doing what He wants me to in my heart and home and community.

    My post this week is Smelting the Soul - when part of God's refining us involves showing us our dross: https://barbarah.wordpress.com/2019/02/18/smelting-the-soul/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Heading over to check out your post, Barbara. Weather does impact on our feelings so much. Today it's 0 degrees Fahrenheit here, but we're heading out to buy our garden seeds! Seems like a silly date for a wintry day, but I'm dreaming of green!

      Delete
    2. Barbara, for whatever reason, I was unable to leave a comment on your blog. Thank you for reminding me that I will be in need of the refining process until the day God takes me home. Blessings!

      Delete
    3. Barbara, thank you for sharing and for leaving your link! ♥

      Delete
  3. Jenifer, that is such a good quote and it's true! May we choose to face each day knowing that "the joy of the Lord will be our strength."
    My latest post >> http://www.joanneviola.com/2019/02/shoulder-to-shoulder-2/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for the reminder to choose joy! Blessings to you! My latest podcast is about the blessings of seeking the Lord as a family. http://www.legacyhomeschoolreflections.com/podcast/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ruth, thank you for sharing! I look forward to listening to your podcast. ♥

      Delete
  5. Joy. It's a gift from God. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!

    My latest posts are: https://drmichellebengtson.com/truths-to-remember-when-it-feels-like-life-is-falling-apart/ and https://drmichellebengtson.com/who-god-says-you-are-17-scriptures-our-true-identity/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amen! A gift that allows hope to prevail! ♥ Thank you for sharing your link!

      Delete
  6. Here's my link:

    https://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2019/02/happy-homemaker-monday-21819.html

    Colletta

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing your link Colletta! ♥

      Delete
    2. So true Jenifer! I actually snickered at the facebook quote. For me, it is rain instead of snow. I just looked outside and started complaining and grumbling about it before I read your post. Now, I am trying to face it and find the joy in it. Thank you for sharing!

      Delete
  7. Sorry, forgot to leave my link for my latest post about speaking life into your spouse. http://keepingthetiethatbinds.com/2019/02/19/3-ways-to-speak-life-into-your-spouse/

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a beautiful reminder to choose joy today! Thank you for this.

    http://www.aboundinggrace.co/gods-grace-is-enough/

    ReplyDelete
  9. https://aspiritofsimplicity.blogspot.com/2019/02/make-me-angel.html
    Winter and I have come to an understanding ever since I took up snowshoeing. I don't even do it every year but knowing I can get out there and have a really good time in the snow makes it better for me.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by, we love hearing from you. Please feel free to contact us with any prayer requests or questions by commenting below or emailing us at the About Us page.