How I Fight for Joy

The more difficult seasons I have endured, the deeper my joy. For all the days I’ve spent in darkness, I never take a single day in the light for granted.

I’m learning that joy is something I choose everyday by looking to God and fighting for my own mental, spiritual and physical health. It’s a daily fight to push back the darkness and live into what is good and true.

I have had many seasons where joy seemed out of grasp. In these times I know God was fighting my battles for me when I couldn’t fight for myself. 

Today, daily choosing joy looks like getting eight hours of sleep.

It’s taking my medicine with gratitude and moving my body in ways I enjoy and that make me come alive.

It’s dismantling the lies in my head with all that is good, lovely and true.

It’s pulling the weeds of comparison, discontent, envy and fear in my life so I can bloom. 

Fighting for joy is treating my self with kindness and dignity. 

It’s putting my phone in its place, living in the present and showing up for my actual life. 

It’s hiding God’s word in my heart and living into a purpose greater than myself.

Choosing joy is choosing God and what is good over and over again.

I don’t know what storms might be ahead, but each day I can make choices in my circle of influence that cultivate health, peace and joy. 

I may not always be able to control my circumstances, but I can choose how I respond to them. Today, I not only choose joy, I receive the joy of knowing I am loved and God’s eternal plan for me is good. 

How do you choose joy?

P.S. This is my favorite sweatshirt from The Shop Forward. My former sorority sister Meri created this line of meaningful merchandise that gives back to worthy charities.

Scroll to Top