Home Run Happiness — Upgrade Your Joy

Pam Farrel is a "Joy Girl!" Her motto, "Choosing Joy," isn't just a casual mantra for a happy life; it's biblical wisdom for a joy-filled, God-honoring life. In this Attitudes UPGRADE, she shares a super-practical way to add more joy to our lives.

"We are the fulltime caregivers for my aging in-laws," Pam says. "My father-in-law loves Dodger baseball, and right now—due to the pandemic—there is no baseball. So he is not a happy camper."

I (Dawn) think it's hard enough being a caregiver in "regular" times, but it's extra hard during a pandemic! But Pam and her husband Bill found a way to spread some joy.

Pam continues . . .

My father-in-law was set to celebrate his 91^st birthday while we were all “sheltering at home,” and we could feel his depression rising. I began to pray for a creative idea to lift his spirits, and one morning I woke with a simple idea.

We decided we needed to help him cultivate some joy, so we arranged a family zoom virtual gathering, we all wore baseball caps, sang “Take me out to the ballgame,” gave him peanuts and cracker jacks—and, of course, his favorite meal complete with birthday cake.  

It was a homerun hit!

Sometimes in our lives, the circumstances are so stressful or uncommonly difficult that normal happiness feels hard to come by. In these trying times, we must pro-actively cultivate our joy.

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy (Psalm 94:19).

As the wave of Covid-19 spreads, fear spreads with it. So how do we move from being anxious (being tormented by a multitude of disquieting thoughts) to the place of God’s consolation (His comfort) that brings us to a place of joy and delight and, with it, the ability to smile again?  

Like in baseball, run the bases!

FIRST BASE: Study Joy

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again, I say, Rejoice (Philippians 4:4).

It is a CHOICE to REJOICE!

Let’s look a little deeper at the meaning of the key words of this verse:

• Rejoice: (verb) be glad, joyful, favorably disposed to grace, lean in, thrive, calm delight.
• Always: at ALL times—this means you are not joyful about trials, but joyful in the midst of the trials. 
  
• Again: meaning once more, just a little further. (It might feel overwhelming to picture yourself being happy or joyful for the long haul, and God recognizes this, so the word “again” shows it is a moment-by-moment decision to "choose joy.")
• Say: meaning to tell, call, lay to rest. (The term "lay to rest" reflects the wise choice to pre-decide: I will be a person who trusts God and walks in faith, not fear. The result will be the ability to  "choose joy!" )
• In the LORD: This is committing EVERYTHING to our Master Creator who exercises absolute ownership rights. In other words, giving over whatever circumstance is robbing our joy to our Abba Father in Heaven who is the ONLY ONE who has the power to really move on our behalf.

SECOND BASE: Speak Joy

In my own life, there was an avalanche of bad news, difficult circumstances and a host of trials and tribulations that hit our life—all at once. You can read a condensed story of how God taught me to say—and live out—the "Choosing Joy!" motto.

Recently, while writing Discovering Joy in Philippians, as I studied the word joy (chairo) in the New Testament, I realized two vital truths.

1. God uses this word more than 70 times in the New Testament. So joy is important to God!
2. Of all the definitions of joy, the one that resonated most to me was "calm delight."

When you feel stress or anxiety rising in you or others, you can simply push pause and ask God, "What would calm me? Calm the situation? Calm others?" and "What would bring delight to me? To the circumstance? To others?"

Praying for, and then exercising calm delight can radically lower your stress!  

THIRD BASE: Schedule Joy

While talking with my friend who works helping First Responders with PTSD, I learned that when you suffer trauma, all the world seems to turn from vibrant color and happiness to a washed out grey.

This conversation inspired me to create a JOY BLOSSOM coloring sheet to help those who are discouraged reclaim joy.

It begins with listing 30 things that have brought you joy in the past. Think simple: sunshine on your face, standing barefoot in the grass or sand, etc. Write one joy on each leaf or petal.

Then schedule one joy moment into your life each day!

For an additional boost, color the joy blossom. Your brain will focus on staying in the lines while you color, and it will be a reprieve from thinking about problems! This lowers stress and boosts your immunity for better health—mentally and physically) 

HOME PLATE: Sketch Joy

I enjoy Bible Art. It helps me memorize and meditate on God’s truths. For what I call a Sabbath Selah (or a pause to ponder God’s goodness), I will often turn on Christian music, which also soothes the soul, and then I spend a few hours studying, creating faith-based art in my Art Bible or in my JOY JOURNAL where I include quotes and verses on joy.  

When the Coronavirus hit, I decided that perhaps my life patterns of study, speaking, scheduling and sketching joy might breath joy into others, so I penned an eBook, Infectious Joy,  that includes 30 days of joy verses, simple art to accompany it, and a space to write or draw to capture and cultivate joy.

Infectious Joy is designed to help all who read it process the powerful truths from God’s heart to create positivity and a JOY that OVERCOMES circumstances. (I invite you to print out Infectious Joy and take it to a quiet spot in the fresh air and LEAVE your tech devices behind.)

It is my hope and prayer that running these four bases to happiness will help you become a person of Infectious Joy who is a life-giver of joy, peace, calm and positivity to those around you.

Who needs a little more joy from you today?

Pam Farrel is an international speaker, relationship expert, author of 50 books including ones featuring joy: Discovering Joy in Philippians: A Creative Bible Study Experience, 10 Secrets of Living Strong, Smart and Savvy or 7 Simple Skills for Every Woman: Success In Keeping It All Together. Download your free copy of Infectious Joy and tell others about it too—become contagious with joy! Pam and her husband, Bill, Co-Direct Love-Wise ministries. They invite you to become a member of the Living Love-Wise Community.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Pixabay.

It's Time for Christians to Repent

Yvonne Ortega doesn't back down from telling people the truth, because she knows it is the truth that sets people free and heals their brokenness. In this Spiritual Life UPGRADE, she hones in on an often-forgotten truth: God's people need to be holy, and repentance is necessary when the Holy Spirit shows us our sin.

“It’s time for Christians to repent.

"As Christians," Yvonne says, "we may talk about and pray for revival in our country, but it’s time for us to repent of partial or incomplete obedience, which is disobedience or rebellion against God.

I (Dawn) have seen so many ministries across America and around the world focusing on the need for revival.

I traveled with a revival team for a number of years and saw what happened in churches when God's people got serious with Him about their sin. Yvonne's words may seem harsh to some people, but they are really words of love for God's people and His holiness.

Yvonne continues . . .

Joshua told the Israelites,

Be very careful to love the Lord your God (Joshua 23:11 NIV).

In verse 16, Joshua warned them, If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.

Perhaps some of us look at Joshua 23:11 and 16 and don’t think those verses apply to us. After all, we no longer live under Old Testament Law but under the New Covenant.

Here are three ways in which those verses do apply.

1. We have often kept quiet in the face of opposition to our covenant with the Lord.

We have not fought for truth. Instead, in the name of multicultural diversity, tolerance, and peace at any price, we have allowed laws and practices contrary to our love for God to abound.

Let’s repent of not loving the Lord as the Bible commands us.

In Matthew 22:37–38, Jesus replied [to an expert in the Law]: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.’

2. We have served the gods of materialism and forgotten what God Almighty has done for us.

During this pandemic, in the United States alone, thousands are in hospitals in critical condition, and thousands have died. Those in the medical field, rescue workers, and caregivers risk their lives daily to keep us safe and healthy.

• Meanwhile, we complain that we can’t get our nails done or go to the tanning booth at the spa.
• We may not be starving, but we moan about the lack of our favorite foods.
• Perhaps we groan about the social distancing restrictions at the golf club.
• At the same time, we dislike the pick-up or delivery-only policies of our favorite restaurant.

Yet, others are hurting because of a lack of money to cover necessities, such as rent or a mortgage and food. They can’t afford pick-up or delivery.

Like the Israelites, we forget all that God has given us and the miracles of the past.

We only focus on our comfort and serve the gods of materialism.

3. We have not hated sin—the works of darkness or evil that God hates.

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:

haughty eyes (a proud, arrogant look), a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,

a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community (Proverbs 6:16–19 NIV).

Any one of those sins separates us from our holy heavenly Father God.

Ask the Lord to show you His holy heart.

Perhaps we are thinking we have confessed all our sins and never murdered anyone. We need to examine our hearts according to 1 John 3:15.

That verse says,

Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

Jesus gives us confirmation of the Old Testament in Matthew 5:17.

He says, Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Look also at Romans 3:23—For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Yes, It's time for Christians to repent.

Can we stand before God and say we don’t need to repent, because we haven’t sinned and fallen short of the glory of God? Friend, ask the Lord to show you His holy heart.

Yvonne Ortega walks with a small footprint but leaves a giant imprint in people’s lives. She is the author of the Moving from Broken to Beautiful® Series through cancer, forgiveness, and grief. Yvonne speaks with honesty and humor as she shares her life and struggles to help women find peace, power, and purpose through God’s Word. She celebrates life at the beach where she walks, builds sand castles, blows bubbles, and dances. Read more about Yvonne at www.YvonneOrtega.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Delanie at Lightstock.

Upgrades from COVID-19

Cathy Horning has a tender heart toward the Lord, receptive to His voice and eager to respond with trust and obedience. In this Spiritual Life UPGRADE, she writes about how she prays the Lord will transform her life because of the coronavirus.

“At the writing of this post,” Cathy says, “our beloved California is waiting on edge for the surge of COVID-19.”

Like many other Christ-followers, I (Dawn) have been contemplating the changes God might want to make in my life as the crisis of the coronavirus passes. Cathy encourages us to make those thoughts more concrete through prayer and intentional choices.

Cathy continues . . .

By the time you read this, hopefully, we will have passed the crisis, and life as we knew it will begin to get back to normal.

Although, my prayer is that we will never be normal again.

COVID-19 took most of us by surprise. It turned our lives upside down, at best, as it devastated hundreds of thousands, at its worst.

To be honest, besides the fear of sickness and death, finances and what the future would hold, my family was part of the population who were merely inconvenienced by the stay-at-home, shelter-in-place, six-foot-separation quarantine that our leaders ordered.

However besides their disruption to my days, these restrictions revealed a lot about my character, my spiritual condition, as well as how unprepared I was.

My prayer is that once the constraints are lifted and our freedoms are restored, my life will have been upgraded by the COVID-19 Refiner’s fire.

I hope I will be:

• Less set in my familiar and comfortable ways,
• More Christ-like in my attitude and actions, and
• More prepared and fully equipped for future curve-balls, crises and trials that will come our way.   

1. I want to be MORE GRATEFUL.

I hope I will never again take for granted everyday conveniences like stocked grocery store shelves, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, toilet paper and the people who make it readily available for us all.

I never again want to assume I will always have the freedom of hugs, coffee shop visits, and family times and outings.

2. I want to be A WILLING SERVANT.

Being stuck at home revealed to me how selfish I am, and how rigid my routine.

I want to be willing to serve others, as if I was serving Jesus Himself, in big ways and small ones, in the comfortable and, especially, in the uncomfortable and inconvenient.

I don’t want to grumble and complain that I must cook and clean more, because there are people at home—all the time—to take care of.

3. I want to be MORE PREPARED and PROACTIVE.

I intend to be more conscientious about and purposeful to not shut out the needs of others, which I realized can happen tucked away safely in the cocoon of my own world.

I will strive to be more connected with my neighbors, to reach out to those in need, and to be aware of and available to help those who are homebound, sick, or hurting.

I pray to walk so closely with Jesus that I can be used to meet the unspoken and unmet needs of others. 

When life returns to normal, I pray there will be an upgrade in my life.

What do I want to see?

• I don’t want to be haphazard and wasteful.
• I don’t want to be resentful or disgruntled when I’m asked to serve in inconvenient ways, times and places.
• And, I don’t want to close my eyes to or look away from others' needs.
• I don’t want to hang my hope and trust in everything working well or going right or staying the same. Nor do I want to live in fear. Instead, I will live my life filled with faith, led by the Spirit, and more prepared and purposeful to share my faith and my life.

Luke 12:35-37, 42-44 (TPT) says,

'Be prepared for action at a moment’s notice. Be like the servants who anticipate their master’s return…They are ready to unlock and open the door for him at a moment’s notice. What great joy is ahead for the awakened ones who are waiting for the Master’s return!...

A trustworthy and thoughtful manager who understands the ways of his master will be given a ministry of responsibility in his master’s house, serving others exactly what they need at just the right time. And when the master returns, he will find that his servant has served him well. I can promise you, he will be given a great reward and will be placed as an overseer of everything the master owns.'

Today, and every day—disaster or not—I hope and pray my upgrades from COVID-19 are that:

• I will be more grateful;
• I will be a willing servant; and
• I will be prepared and proactive.  

What upgrade has COVID-19 made in your life?

Cathy Horning has been a women’s ministry leader, Bible Study teacher, speaker and writer for almost three decades. She loves the Word of God. Nothing brings her greater joy than encouraging women how to walk in God's ways. Cathy is a popular speaker, blogger and writer, as well as a beloved wife to her husband of 37 years, mom to four, grammy to 13, and spiritual mom to many. She is the author of Letters from a Mother's Heart—Timeless Truths from One Mom's Journey. Read more about her on her website.

Graphic, "Thank You," courtesy of Chrystal Elizabeth at Pixabay.

Press On in Joy

Kathy Carlton Willis is no stranger to difficult circumstances, but she emerges from them with joy. In this Spiritual Life and Joy UPGRADE, she calls us to press past the voices of circumstances or our own destructive self-talk and listen to another Voice—someone who can help us press on in joy.

“As I write this, I’m in the middle of the national pandemic lockdown,” Kathy says. “You’re reading it on the last day of the lockdown.

"I wish I had a crystal ball to write what our May looks like. We just don’t know.”

I (Dawn) don’t have a crystal ball either. All I know is we’re in this together. Kathy gives us words of encouragement as we press on.

Kathy continues . . .

It’s possible the lockdown will continue. During this time of uncertainty, what a blessing to cling to what we do know.

As Christ followers, we know:

whatever comes our way, we can grin with joy, knowing it does get better than this.

I can sit here and focus on my troubles:

• My husband lost his job due to cutbacks in the middle of January. It was hard enough finding employment at age 58 in the good times, but now there is much more joblessness.
• My health could be better. My chronics are flaring.
• The stay-at-home order has everyone a bit stir crazy. Some are bored. I’m just busy, scrambling to change everything that took over a year to plan that has cancelled. Now I have days instead of months to activate a new plan.
• I’m a caregiver to my mom. Even though she is very independent, it adds to my load having her living with us. Why? Because I give a care.

Rather than focus on my troubles, I will sit here and fix my gaze on Jesus, the author and sustainer of my joy.

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:17–18 NLT).

On my Facebook page, I asked about how to have joy despite brokenness. I asked people to describe their brokenness.

One person wrote:

“Top of the list is pain. I have no hope for the future with what I'm going through. It will never get better. Just getting worse. I want my life back but that will never happen. Depressing. I try to stay positive every day, but sometimes it’s just very hard when all you do is cry. I’m in so much pain and meds do not help. I can't stop. I have responsibility to help my family.”

I responded:

"I'm sorry to hear that. When we get depressing news and live with discouraging conditions, it can be overwhelming! I couldn't possibly know the depth of what you are going through, but I do have several chronic diseases that are debilitating and progressive.

"The main reason I can still have joy isn't because I have hope that I'll get better in this life (unless there’s a miracle!). But I know in heaven I'll get rid of pain once and for all. And there will be no more tears. My hope in God gets me through some awful stuff.

"Also, I focus on what I CAN find joy in. I tell myself that my body doesn't get to dictate my perspective on how I feel. It's only one third of who I am. My spirit and soul are two thirds of who I am, so they get the majority vote. That really helps me adjust my feelings on days I'm suffering.

"I hope that encourages you a little. It stinks, what you are going through. And I'm so sorry it's happening."

We all are going through something, especially these days.

What can we do to find joy in the middle of all this?

1.  Switch focus.

Instead of looking at the problems, look to the Problem-Solver.

I will fix my gaze on Jesus!

2. Praise in advance of the breakthrough.

Worship God not because He will fix the circumstances, but because He is God.

3. Seek to serve.

When we put our attention and energy in helping others, our problems pale in comparison. And we realize even when we feel stuck, there is still something we can do to help.

One example: I’ve been leaving sound bites on Facebook Messenger to friends.

In these voice messages, I pray for them.

Encourage them.

Tell them I love them.

There’s something about hearing another person’s voice that helps us all know we’re not in this alone.

And the greatest voice of all to hear is the voice of God, through His Word and his Spirit.

What voice are you listening to today?

Kathy Carlton Willis, God’s Grin Gal, writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith, whimsy and wisdom. She coaches others to remove the training wheels of fear and not just risk, but also take pleasure in the joy ride of life. She is known for her debut book, Grin with Grace, and for her grinning Boston terrier, Hettie. Her new book, The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy is inspiring Joy Sightings everywhere. Discover more about Kathy at www.kathycarltonwillis.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Brightside Creative at Lightstock.

Rx for Caregivers

Sally Ferguson always laces her writing with scripture truth. In this Caregiving UPGRADE, she helps us see how we can minister to caregivers who pour out their lives in service to others.

"Caregiving has come in multiple seasons for me," Sally said, "so it was an epiphany for me to realize the Good Samaritan was also a caregiver."

I (Dawn) had never thought of it that way. Sally is right. Also, the Lord told this story about the Good Samaritan some time after He sent out His followers to prepare the way for His arrival.

Jesus is the greatest Caregiver of all, and He wants us to follow His example of selfless service.

Sally continues…

Luke 10:30-35 tells the Good Samaritan’s story.

He acted as medic, transport and financier.

Parents can relate to this multitasker when we doctor up scrapes, become a taxi driver to endless sports and school activities, and provide for those events from the bank of Mom and Dad.

I’ve also been a caregiver when:

• My Mom-in-love had double knee replacement.
• I served as a Chemo Buddy through multiple friends' cancer treatments.
• My Dad came to live with us.

Doctor appointments, physical therapy sessions, drug store runs, and sleepless nights all take a toll on the caregiver.

We serve out of compassion, but Xochitl Dixon says in Waiting for God, “Compassion can become exhausting when we try to do God’s job.”

At some point, the caregiver has to administer self-care.

We have to refill our cups in the Lord’s presence, so that out of the overflow we can again refresh others.

He invites us in Matthew 11:28 to come to Him for rest.

Psalm 68:19, 1 Peter 5:7 and Psalm 55:22 invite us to cast our cares on the Lord.

This practice is more than a “one and done” prayer; it is the process of releasing our burdens to be carried by another.

This act of letting go can look different from one person to the next.

• Maybe worship music helps you?
• Maybe taking your charge for a ride in the car?
• Kneeling and stretching are postures of prayer, as are journaling, swimming, and doing dishes.

Find a way to gather your thoughts and hand them to the Lord.

What Would I like to Know as a Caregiver?

1. God cares.

In exhaustion, desperation and sorrow, it’s easy to think you’re alone in the battle. We start to entertain the “Why?” questions, and slide down the slippery slope of despair.

Years ago, my pastor said, “God knows and He cares” (Matthew 6:8). That assurance has given me strength to carry on through difficulty.

It reminds me I am not expected to do life in my own strength, and I have a heavenly Father who is invested in the details of my day-to-day experience.

2. Other people care.

Isolation is quite often the hallmark of a caregiver’s lifestyle. A mom with an infant yearns for adult conversation. Someone caring for a member of the family with dementia wishes for a day of recognition. A nurse is overwhelmed by suffering.

It’s hard to give and give without receiving care too.

Galatians 6:2 reminds us to share each other’s burdens.

Could you connect with a support group for your circumstance? From Alzheimer’s to MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) to zany viruses and everything in-between, there’s a support group to be found. Check online and in your community for reputable organizations.

A listening ear can lighten the load.

And, combat isolation by taking your charge for a walk, sitting on the patio in the sunshine, or going for an ice cream run. Look for something to celebrate, every day.

3. What I’m doing WILL make a difference.

Investing in a life is noteworthy, but often thankless.

The attention drawn to the sanctity of life is not only for the pre-born, but also affects how we treat our elderly and disabled. When we care for others, Jesus says we are showing Him how we care for Him (Matthew 25:34-40).

Whether you’re changing diapers and wiping drool for a 13 year old with special needs, or driving someone to chemo appointments, you need to know it matters.

You are needed, and no one can give the same level of care as you, because you are connected. You notice their smiles and celebrate their laughter. You administer grace in various forms.

Purpose changes perspective when we take our eyes off of ourselves.

Cain was wrong when he said, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” We’re ALL called to be caregivers (John 21:16; 1 Peter 5:2).

The way we live out that role is important: we show our love for Jesus—by caring for His people (John 21:15-17).

Do you know a caregiver who needs a friend? What can you do this week to lift that caregiver's load or model the love of Jesus?

Sally Ferguson is a caregiver for her dad and her grands. She lives in western New York with her hubby of 33 years. Look for her words at EzineArticles, AlmostAnAuthor, on Amazon and at sallyferguson.net.  sallyferguson.net.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Sabine Van Erp at Pixabay.