JOY... Sets some apart

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4elise

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I know since i was a kid I admired the joy obvious in the eyes and perpetual smile of some older religious Sisters… Not called to that path, I am a mom, work for a Catholic non-profit for almost 30 years and have certainly had moments of true Spirit based joy.

What seems to be the destroyer of joy for me is anxiety… And as the priest adds …“protect us from all anxiety…” I know I pray this prayer deeply. I also remember that Jesus told us “be not afraid” — which also seems to be the call to joy…

So it is Lent, there are ample things in the world to be afraid if - yet we are called to joy…

How do you find and live in joy?
 
I don’t have a good answer for this, as I struggle with the difficulties of daily life more than I ought to, but it’s such a lovely post, I thought I’d give it a bump.
 
Joy is a virtue that we are all called to . Anxiety is part of human nature that we are all prone to. As a mother, I certainly understand the anxiety part well. Anything to do with my children’s well being, their wish and future can make me anxious. But as I grow spiritually, the anxious way I used to be has been well improved. I find the deeper my trust is, the less my anxiety becomes. Time and again, God proves to me He will never fail me. He invites me to go deeper with my trust, to really know that He is in charge. He invites me to give him my unlimited trust.

This does not mean I have no anxiety any more, but at least progress. We are not likely to have joy when our heart is full of anxiety. But joy does not necessarily come just because anxiety is not there. The true joy comes from the Lord. Building an intimate relationship with Jesus is the best way to enjoy joy. When the living water keeps flowing from within, and we truly recognize the presence, we may have the joy of the Lord.

Hope this makes sense and helps.
 
It ain’t easy sometimes…😃

Joy comes from keeping focused on the Goal and then seeing everythign else in the context of that Goal.

Peace
James
 
InLight247 said:
That is right, it is never easy, and I think that’s why I consider it a virtue to keep on developing.🙂
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Oh - I wouldn’t go so far as to say it is never easy…
I find it easy to find joy in the mass…
In looking at a sunset like you display in your signature…
In seeing someone hold the door for another…

Even in a good soaking rain.

If our thoughts and reliance are on God, we can find joy in many many things large and small.

Peace
James
 
JRKH said:
Oh - I wouldn’t go so far as to say it is never easy…
I find it easy to find joy in the mass…
In looking at a sunset like you display in your signature…
In seeing someone hold the door for another…

Even in a good soaking rain.

If our thoughts and reliance are on God, we can find joy in many many things large and small.

Peace
James
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I do think virtues are not always easy to keep up. I can never think once I am good at certain virtue in certain situation, I will always be good at this same virtue in any other situation. For example, I was able to have joy most of the time in one suffering situation, but I would never dare to say I will always have joy in all kind of sufferings. That is what I meant by never easy.

I was not talking about enjoying the beauty of the nature or a smile from a new born baby. Rather, I meant to talk about having joy in the Lord when we suffer. That point was not made clear in my previous short post. 😉
 
InLight247 said:
I do think virtues are not always easy to keep up. I can never think once I am good at certain virtue in certain situation, I will always be good at this same virtue in any other situation. For example, I was able to have joy most of the time in one suffering situation, but I would never dare to say I will always have joy in all kind of sufferings. That is what I meant by never easy.

I was not talking about enjoying the beauty of the nature or a smile from a new born baby. Rather, I meant to talk about having joy in the Lord when we suffer. That point was not made clear in my previous short post. 😉
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I agree with the above absolutely.
Especially in suffering it is a constant struggle to find joy.

Peace
James
 
I agree trust and faith are key ingredents in a recipe for joy… But perhaps i can see the joy in older religious sisters because they know they have also lived their lives according to their calling and the will of our loving Father.

Blessings!
 
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