Cultivating Joy in the Midst of Uncertainty

Cultivating Fruits of the Holy Spirit Series:

Joy – part 1

“This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10

What is joy? True joy? And why is it important?

It is listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit and is a vital element to the health and wellbeing of ourselves. We of course don’t cultivate it alone, but instead work on it together with God, building (read edifying) ourselves up with the Lord. Little by little through every circumstance God is inviting us to grow in the fruits of His Spirit.

Joy is different than happiness. It is keeping steadfast passionate hope in your heart despite your circumstances. It is not a fickle feeling that will pass momentarily. It is a mindset, a heart posture. That has been strengthened through practice over time.

Joy in Uncertain Times

Whether during a pandemic or a big life change (like moving countries! 😉) there is sooo much in this world that will try to steal, kill, and destroy our joy and connection with God. But those are also some of the best times to hunker down and anchor into the Lord and create roots that will be able to weather any storm.

Practically, what does this look like?

Believing that God is always good no matter where you go and no matter what you go through. It is to continue to keep up with consistent quiet times with God even when you don’t “feel” like it. Girl, I am no expert, but I’ve been through enough and came out the other side to know cultivating joy means to believe that you are capable of cultivating it within yourself, like a garden. And that you are a very powerful being who God wants to fill up and pour out over onto others. It is using the neuroplasticity of your brain/renewing your mind daily with the hard core truths of God and going through the difficult, messy but beautiful process of throwing off everything that so easily entangles and hinders (Hebrews 12:1).

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”

HEBREWS 12:1

IRL, it means if I get lost on a crowded subway on my way two hours into the city I can take a deep breath and remember I’m not really lost, I’m in the process of a fresh start. It is knowing that the sun will still rise tomorrow and I am growing through everything. It is having a grateful heart that I at least have yummy coffee to drink if the barista got my order incorrect. It is trusting that God knows what He’s doing especially when I don’t 😏

I am still working on it today and I will forever be working on it. But it is never about reaching a certain “goal of joy or wellbeing” it is all about letting love in to transform you from the core of your being to outside of yourself. To cultivate joy you must experience life too. You can’t passively let life pass you by. You can not experience true joy only by staying in your room where it’s safe and comfortable. You must step out of your comfort zone. You must take the leap and believe you’re worthy enough and capable enough of being who God made you to be. You can not just take my word for it.

Trust God and trust yourself.

Then jump!

With Love,

Cherie 😊

Hi there! If you made it here thanks for reading!! Your support means so much to me! I make sure to only speak from a place of authenticity. This means I only write about something I have gone through myself. I started Beautifully Fulfilled to pour into and lift others up into embracing God, themselves, and their higher calling. Little by little we can bring Heaven to earth. 💜