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As we close out our September series on joy, we have focused on how God brings joy into our lives no matter the season when joy is hard to find or feel, how gratitude impacts our joy, and even a new way to consider finding long-lasting JOY (Jesus, Others, Yourself).
Take a look at all we've covered this month, plus a bonus episode of our podcast, Message on the go! Where Fr. Rob & Rev. Mary Margaret continue the conversation on JOY.
SERMONS ON THE PODCAST:
Sometimes joy comes in the form of a beautiful little baby, sometimes it's 'sneaky' and comes in ways we are not expecting.
Living a joy-filled life vs. living a life of fear.
It's Ok to Laugh, Rev. Mary Margaret Winn
Allowing yourself to feel joy after loss can be tough, and living in unprecedented times can make it really hard to harbor joy.
What is the recipe for long-lasting joy?
BONUS! MESSAGE ON THE GO
Fr. Rob & Rev. Mary Margaret sit down to discuss the recipe for JOY, how do you get all 3 ingredients? How do we juggle the others vs. yourself pieces?
ARTICLES & BLOG POSTS
What is Joy? St. Matthew's Blog
Biblical joy is "choosing to respond to external circumstances with inner contentment and satisfaction because we know that God will use these experiences to accomplish His work in and through our lives." Christianity.com
The relationship between joy and gratitude was one of the important things I found in my research. I wasn’t expecting it. In my 12 years of research on 11,000 pieces of data, I did not interview one person who had described themselves as joyful, who also did not actively practice gratitude.
For me, it was very counterintuitive because I went into the research thinking that the relationship between joy and gratitude was: if you are joyful, you should be grateful. But it wasn’t that way at all.
Instead, practicing gratitude invites joy into our lives.
We may never regain exactly what we have lost, but we can find joy in the certainty that God is with us and will renew us day by day.
“What if loving God and others well is truly all we need to accomplish in this lifetime?”
Harboring Joy Living in Unprecedented Times. Rev. Mary Margaret Winn
9 Ways to Seek Joy, excerpt by Seraine Page, from Total Wellness
Skip the Comparison Game
Enjoy the Small Things
Start a Conversation
Play!
Create a Joy List
Spread Kindness
Spend Time with Nature
Let Go of the Negative
Wear Your Favorite Items
Let Go of the Past
Practice Gratitude
Surround Yourself with Positive People
Change Your Physiology (eat well, exercise)
Create Positive Daily Rituals
Be Fully Present
Find Your Purpose
Give Back