Chasing Joy!

Life is so frail and fleeting. In an instant, everything that you know today may be gone tomorrow. The writer of James 4:14 says it clearly, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” I don’t say this to incite fear, but to encourage you to make the most of the present. Sometimes we are so consumed with our worries, life is passing us by. 

A few weeks ago, I learned of the untimely death of a young girl I knew a long time ago. She was too young, and of course, in our minds, taken too soon. But only God in his sovereignty has full understanding of circumstances that we find too hard and painful to comprehend. This life we live is full of ups and downs; some days are good and some are downright terrible. In this age of social media, it’s hard to escape the 24 hour news cycle and it’s harder to find anything good in that cycle.

On those darker days of struggle, I take comfort in Psalm 30:5, that “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” That entire chapter was penned as an encouraging word to God’s people at a beautiful milestone after a season of hardship, and it still serves as a comforting word even today. I hope you take a moment to savor those words too.

The truth is joy, my friends, not happiness, comes in the morning. Happiness is temporary but joy can remain even when everything else seems dark. Personally, to counteract the storm clouds that can quickly darken our days, I’ve taken to chasing tiny joys. Tiny joys are small moments or acts that bring a smile to your face or instantly make you feel better. They remind me that life can be good when we take time to enjoy and make every minute count that the Lord gives us on this earth.

I’m going to share some of my tiny joys and I want you to share yours in the comments below. 

● Tickling my son until he can’t stop laughing 

● Dancing until I fall into a tired heap on the floor 

● Kikis with friends on the phone 

● Taking a walk outside and enjoying God’s beautiful nature

● Reading a good book uninterrupted 

What are some of yours? What tiny joys will you chase in appreciation for the good and generous gifts that the Lord gives to us?