It's "Joyful January" here on my blog and on my YouTube channel! In case you've missed it, so far this series has included:
Week 1: What Joy Is and How You Can Have It (video) (blog)
Week 2: How to Nurture Joy in Your Life (video)
Now, welcome to Week 3--Joy Resources.
Last week, in my video on YouTube about nurturing joy in our lives, I mentioned some reading resources that can encourage us on our pursuit of joy.
Of course, the highest authority on any important subject is the Bible, and there are many passages that deal with the topic of joy or inspire us to choose joy. Here are just a few (with links for convenient reading):
James 1:2-4
Proverbs 10:28
Psalm 16:11
Psalm 97:11
Jeremiah 15:16
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Romans 5:2
Isaiah 61:10
As we can see from these verses, a large part of cultivating joy is in taking our eyes off ourselves, keeping them focused on God and His Word, and living in obedience to Him--even when it's difficult.
While not on the same level as Scripture itself, there are authors who have poured their hearts into books, sharing their painful journeys and the ways God has lovingly taught them to choose joy. The following are books I personally highly recommend:
Calm My Anxious Heart, by Linda Dillow
One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp
Life is Tough, But God is Faithful, by Sheila Walsh
Lies Women Believe, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom
This, of course, is not even close to an exhaustive list, but these are the ones that have impacted me most so far.
As I mentioned last week, filling our minds with truth is vital in our commitment to choose joy. I hope the above resources are as helpful to you as they have been for me. Do you have others to share? I would love to know! Leaving a comment below with your favorite joy resources will be a blessing to me and others. :)
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| Jag Marley is a bristly foster kid who keeps everyone at arm's length. Will his heart ever know joy? Find out in the Places series. Click here for my Amazon site. |
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