What Is Joy ?

Then Ezra said to them, “Go [your way], eat the rich festival food, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be worried, for the joy of the LORD is your strength and your stronghold.” – Nehemiah 8:10 AMP

Being Content

               As a new divorcee , and single mother I have learned the practice of being content in every season that I am in. I find myself revisiting memories of bad choices and decisions that I made in the past, and determining to do better this time. Now being back in my personal territory of Chicago, I find myself mentally healing. I have been forced to face some painful things that happened but God has been alongside me through it all. I know that in the future I will be released for something great, but now I am content where I am in life.

               I think as a believer it is important to learn the art and talent of being content. Many times people post their “success” on social media – but a picture could truly be a lie. People only post what they want you to see, not what is really going on behind closed doors. When you learn to be content, you are not bound by what people think.. I learned this from following Christ closely in this season.

               When you focus on grief your life will be cut short by grief. Life (despite what people teach) is not meant to be filled with pain and suffering – but with joy. You have to learn how to make your personal life journey “joyous”.  When release joy into the atmosphere, it makes it easier for gravity to return joy back to you by law of attraction.

Honor Yourself

               I am a firm believer of not waiting for someone to do what I know how to do myself. Today why don’t you honor yourself? Compliment yourself? Encourage yourself? Stop waiting for someone else to affirm you and affirm yourself. Learn the art of engulfing yourself with healthy books, good podcasts, and words of affirmation that will draw you closer to God.

Who Do I personally listen to?

Below I posted some people and some books that I am reading right now in life.

1 – The praying mom by Stormie Omartian.

2 – I have begun to listen to sermons by Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell

3 – I have started reading this book by Heidi St. John (Bible Promises For Moms)

               I have made the decision in my own life that I will not allow what happened to me to be the cause of me becoming a failure. I think in life I have had to push past a lot of abuse that I endured as a child – let it go and give it to God. Because I can’t allow what happened to me destroy me mentally, physically, and emotionally. I have mastered smiling again, liking what I see when I look in the mirror and loving the fact that I am alive. But it took a long time to accomplish that.

               In life you can’t allow what people do to be the pilot of your emotions. You must move on. I pray that whatever is causing you to toss and turn at night will be released and fly away from your mind so that you can have peace.

Vision Of An Island

               I remember there was a time not too long ago, I would close my eyes and envision myself living peacefully on an island by myself. That reality that I formed in my mind was better than my reality. Ironically, overtime my life (in real life) became a beautiful version of what I envisioned in my own mind.

               I had to learn to let go of what people have done and move on. Let me tell you the people who have done evil to me in the past have been repaid and some are even dead now. But I learned that the people who hurt my feelings are dead, and I am still alive. I have officially outlived all the naysayers, lies, and gossip about me… So, there is no point of living a life of depression. Life is not purposed and meant for you to live in some sort of emo state – but instead to live a life filled with joy.

               In life, you should not be waking up looking forward to death – but looking forward to something new each day. Your life is still in the filming stages of something great so keep going. I believe that God is going to generate something greater and better for you. I believe that happiness will become a regular emotion for you.

Cut Out Toxic People In Your Life

               There is a old saying that goes that you are the company that you keep and that is true. When you remove people who are toxic and are set in there ways of “toxic-ness” – then you will see a transformation of your life. At 29 years old I have had to practice this and yes toxic people don’t like that and I don’t care. People who are ill intentioned should not be in your life and should not be in your vicinity. That will help you have mental clarity as well. Don’t waste your time and energy on people who are “fake” and mean you no good. You want to be surrounded by people who genuinely love you and want you to succeed in life.

Conclusion

               When you surround yourself with joy then you will indeed have joy. To have joy you have to remove people from your life who mean you no good. Focus. Remain positive. Live a little. Things will surely change … Slowly but surely for the better.

Minister (Esther ) Precious-Diamond S. Chessier (Kelly)