I enjoy going for brisk walks, but lately, I have been making excuses as to why not to. Either it was the weather, not feeling well, or a heap of other circumstances. Looking through my calendar I found that two months had slipped by with no noted walks!

The thought of getting back into the swing of things made the joy I once had seem more like an arduous task.

Can you relate?

Have you lost your joy in doing something you once loved?

Perhaps you have lost your joy:

  • Working through a Bible study
  • Attending church
  • Exercising
  • In your job
  • In your marriage

When we lose that joy, it can feel like such a huge task to get it back again.

We begin blaming our circumstances for robbing us of our joy. Maybe it’s a person, health issues, busyness, or whatever is happening in your life. There is no lack of excuses.

However, Colossians 3:2 reminds us to set our mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Also, Jesus reminds us in John 15:11 that the things He has spoken to us are so that His joy may be in us, and that our joy may be made full.

Perhaps you have lost your joy because you have been focusing on the wrong things.

What are you focusing on?

  • Is it on yourself?
  • Is it on how life isn’t fair?
  • Is it on your pain?
  • Is it on your lack of control?

How is that working for you? Focusing on your circumstances?

I imagine that you are weighed down with worry, anxiety, stress, and fatigue.

No wonder our joy is gone. We rob ourselves of it by not fixing our eyes on Jesus.

The truth is we are responsible for activating the joy God has already promised us. He does not demand we do so, but desires that we do so that our joy may be full. He knows that when we focus on anything other than Him we are at risk of not experiencing the gift He has given us.

Our circumstances do not determine if we experience joy within our hearts. Joy is a choice.

I had to make a choice to get back on the road and enjoy those brisk walks again – regardless of my circumstances.

I invite you to lace up your tennis shoes with me and exercise placing our focus back on Jesus. His Character. His promises. His awareness. His sovereignty. His patience towards us. His Faithfulness.

Let’s not make it seem harder than it is. We will experience perfect peace when our minds are steadfast on Christ, trusting Him in all things (Isaiah 26:3).