I heard once a long time ago that often you will reflect what your name means. And you will do so by either being the fulfillment of it or by being the opposite of it.
My name is Leanna Joi – that’s Joy with an I right there. And if the statement above is true it means I’m either joyful or I’m not.
Honestly I do think there is some truth to the statement.
ANYHOW -Today’s topic at Faith Barista today is Joy more specifically keeping your Joy Safe.
Now I do want to say that I’m of the belief that joy and happiness are not the same thing. I think you can have joy and not be happy.
Because I think that Joy is more God centered. In ways more God promised.
You have made known to me the ways of life;You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
John 16:23-24
Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Doing the negativity fast has really helped me in the way of regaining my joy- or maybe that’s finding it again.
I don’t think I lost my joy so to speak I think I have managed to push it aside and in a way burry it.
Do you ever do that? Burry your joy?
What I mean when I ask that is this- do you forget where your joy comes from?
I look at that verse from Acts and think …in His presence is Joy.
Hummm…if in his presence is joy, and I’m not feeling the joy (again this is where to me happiness & joy differ) then am I in his presence?
I’d have to answer that with a big ol’ No sometimes.
When I’m not feeling the joy I’m certainly not in his presence.
I’m not focused on Him, who He is or what He has done for me.
I’m not focused on how much He LOVES me.
It’s kinda sad really when you think about it.
I can have joy all the time…really because as a Christian, as one who has accepted Christ and his gift of salvation, I have the Holy Spirit living inside me.
And if I have the Holy Spirit living in me then I have His presence with me.
Really makes me think.
Hope it makes you think too.
2 comments:
What you said about Joy is so true!
My name means Truthful One. I might have to do a post on that sometime!
Thanks for sharing!
Leanna! You are so honest and so free in grace. Thank you for a powerful post on joy. Made me soberly think about joy and being in God's presence. Great shot for the jam last week! (btw, love your new pic, Qt! :))
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