Pursue Joy!

A Motto for Life

Dear reader we are in the season of family, peace and joy. For many of us however, those feelings and connections feel so out of reach. I wrote the book God & A Plan as my response to such a season in my life. My 8year-old Valerie was snatched from this earth what felt all too soon, and my family and I were left to wrestle with the sorrow her death left behind.

I cannot explain the bigger picture in her death, but I do know I learned many things as her death became the catalyst for my life’s rebirth. There is hope buried in the ashes left by grief and life lessons that are meant to be shared. My new year’s gift to the readers of Teachable Moments Magazine is chapter 16 of God & A Plan entitled Pursue Joy! A Motto for Life. The pursuit of joy has become my greatest adventure. Take this lesson slowly. Hear the words and see yourself in them. Determine they may be applied to your life and perhaps even change the way you see life all together. Pursuing Joy will allow you to move from grief to glory.

I send you all my love from Missouri. ~ Shareda

God & A Plan Chapter 16

Pursue Joy! A Motto for Life

When a person pursues something, they go after it with all their heart, hoping to capture it. They even do it without fear that the thing is not obtainable. So many of us have pursued things like degrees, lovers, and goals, but I charge you to go instead after joy and make it your life’s ultimate pursuit and the foundation of your life’s plan. 

The world sees joy as happiness. He made me happy; she made me happy; or my job makes me happy. In reality it is bringing you temporary pleasure or satisfaction. It can only last until the co-worker eats your lunch, the partner forgot your birthday, or you didn’t get the raise you believe you earned. 

Speaking for myself, before wholeness I wanted to sit in the idea of how something made me feel and limit my joyfulness to nothing more than that feeling. Feelings and emotions connect directly to the world’s definition of joy which centers on bliss or delight. We need this type of joy, but the Lord’s joy is much more profound and sustaining for a truly happy life. 

Nehemiah 10:8, the writer Ezra proclaimed, “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” He spoke this to the remnant of people who returned to rebuild the temple in Judah after its destruction. As I read this, I could not help but think about the word remnant and how a remnant refers to “what remains.” 

When someone dies, generally speaking, there is a remnant of family and friends left behind to mourn. They remain after the loved one has transitioned to pick up the pieces, raise the children, run a business, and so much more. Ezra told the remnant present that the JOY of the LORD is YOUR STRENGTH! This declaration excites me as I think that even after destruction of my family as I knew it, God wanted us to know that He can provide us with the strength to restore our lives if we focus on him. 

The word “of” in that phrase refers to a connection between a part of something and the whole of the same thing. Well, my friends, God is the whole, joy is the part, and strength is the outcome. Therefore, if you encompass God – His word, His praise, His covenants, His purpose, His love and every part of Him and apply the whole of who He is to your life, you shall be strengthened.  

I live by the motto, “Pursue Joy! It will save your life.” I wrote this after Valerie died and shared it at every opportunity because I firmly believe it to be true. God is the source of my joy and the only way I could take a trauma-filled life and turn it into something worth having for my children and me. So, when I say to myself, pursue joy, I am saying Pursue God, and He will save your life. 

Ways to pursue joy

1. Listen to music throughout the day. Music has a way of entering the subconscious mind and working on your thoughts even when you didn’t give it permission. Ever sing a song and wonder how it got it your head. Ever have a situation strike a memory of a song you once heard, and it remind you of a person or place? Music is a gateway into the soul. Place Godly music into your daily life so that your soul may flourish.
2. Read inspirational text. Find 2 to 3-minute reads that allow men and women of God to pour into your heart the wisdom that God has shared with them to give to you. As you read, the messages will become more relevant to your daily life. It will be as if they are speaking to your circumstance directly. 
3. Read the word of God. There is no substitute for the Bible. It is a treasury of answers to life’s successes and failures. It holds the key to who you are and even who you are not. When you read seeking understanding and wisdom, the Lord will speak to your heart and equip you for your personal journey.
4. Engage in praise and worship even when you don’t feel like it.  I can’t tell you how much I love singing and praising God’s name now. When Valerie first died, I didn’t want to, but I knew I needed to. I would be feeling hurt, but I would push myself into praise and soon the cloud of pain would lift off of me and I would enter into joy. 
5. Eliminate the negative words from taking root in your life. Don’t permit the misguided words of others to poison you. Attribute grace to their dumbfounded attempts to console you and redirect your heart immediately to the Lord’s virtues; so your heart will be at peace. 
   1. A tool tool in the classroom used by teachers all over when kids come to tattle is, “Thank   you for sharing.” This simple tactic acknowledged that you heard them speak, defused their need to continue and acts as a deflector for you to switch gears.
   2. Sometimes well-meaning adults need a “Thank you for sharing” moment to stop them in their tracks while you focus your attention on what God says.
6. Tap into your friendships. When people are hurting, their first inclination is to pull back from all social activity, but we need a cheer squad in the background who loves us, doesn’t push an agenda, and listens more than they speak. This group knows how to be a warm body in the room and nothing else as you heal. They know how to pray for you when it is clear your joy needs building, and they know that the time spent with you should be about you. This group could be different than those you expected. Ask God to show you who they are.

Affirmation

Prayer

Lord, you are the medicine we need for our souls. We welcome the newness of spirit that comes with your strength, continued hope in trying times, and peace from believing in you and the power of your might. 

Scripture

Psalm 16:11 (ESV) “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

View this book on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/God-Plan-Daughters-Mothers-Rebirth/dp/B0BQ94JYTY

Shareda M. Rollins

Shareda M. Rollins is a Kansas City, MO native, educator and writer of poetic praise; poetry dedicated to life as a Christian and varied experiences with the living God and his word. Married nearly 14 years, Ed shares her kingdom mindset, love of poetic praise and he is the father of their three beautiful children; Valerie our angel who joined our Lord in heaven in 2010, Victoria our sometimes shy, always eclectic 10-year old and Vaida, our baby girl whose personality and smile are infectious and seems to be loved by all who meet her. Together, we operate a Christ-centered entertainment company (4HISWILL) that provides an audience for aspiring or seasoned artist to have a live experience to test or perfect their talents.