Pause: A Month of Joy in Five Minutes a DaySample

Proclaim

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (Phil. 4:4-5)

Prompt

“There will be glory after this. No need to worry.”

So go the lyrics to the song “Joy of the Lord” by Maverick City, which borrows its chorus from Nehemiah 8:10, which says, “the joy of the Lord is my strength.”

Do you believe that’s true? Because if you do, then you don’t need to worry! Even in the midst of the greatest trials of your life, you can trust that God’s given you the strength to last through them—and he’s done that through the strength-giving gift that is His joy.

No matter what you’re encountering, there’s glory after it. As we discussed yesterday, no matter what comes your way, you can choose to say, I CHOOSE JOY!

How can we say that with confidence? Because the giver of JOY never gets tired. His strength is always well rested and ready to go. He never sleeps, gets tired, or takes a day off. When you need joy, ask for a dose from the God who is always ready to give.

Prod

Make yourself a joy reminder—a Post-it note on your bathroom mirror, a rubber band around your wrist, whatever you have handy—and use it to remember that the joy of the Lord is your strength. Each time you see the note or feel the rubber band snap, remember, it's not your strength, it’s GOD’s that brings joy.

Praise

Listen to “Joy of the Lord” by Maverick City

Pray

Jesus, thank you for your joy! Help me to rely on it and remember that there’s glory on the other side of what I’m dealing with today. Thank you for being an everlasting source of strength and joy in my life. Make yourself known in my life today! I want to live life with a smile that shows the joy in my heart! Amen.