Sometimes we have to be reminded… of what we know. It’s so easy to get entangled in the day that we forget. And sometimes, in the intensity of living we need to be reminded to Enjoy. To find joy in the journey – or as I, tongue in cheek like to say, lose the stress. Living, discovering, exploring should also include those moments of stopping to smell the roses… or being awed at the beauty of a sunset… or smiling when watching children play and laugh… There is so much to bask in as you walk out your day.
Seriously, when was the last time that you really and truly enjoyed (fill in the blank)? How did you express your enjoyment? Did it ‘infect’ others around you? Aren’t we supposed to be SERIOUS? Of course we need to be serious about the things of the Lord, however… serious doesn’t need to be defined as joy-less. And when you use scripture as your guide, there are over 30 verses that discuss this.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may about in hope. (Romans 15:13)
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“…there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.” (Ecclesiastes 3:13)
“A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13)
These few verses also identify what steals our enjoyment: lack of believing, anxiety, fear, broken heart. And, it identifies what the Lord does in those situations: believing, hope, help, upheld, happy.
We are equipped and enabled to enjoy as much as we are to stand against those forces attempting to undermine who we are and Whose we are. To be honest, I would advance the thought that enjoying the fruits of the Lord’s hand is one of our weapons to defeat our enemy. That could be stretching it a bit… but maybe not.
