5 Habits of Joyful People
Habit: (noun) a settled or regular tendency or practice.
Even small actions, when done on a regular basis can produce measurable change.
Interact With God About Everything
When we humans are in need, we tend to cry out to God whether we believe in Him, or typically don’t.
God said He would never leave us. Just because we don’t always ‘feel’ it, doesn’t mean it isn’t true. He is always glad to be with us.
He doesn’t wish we would go away, nor does He get bored with us. All the ways others have rejected or abandoned you don’t apply to Him. His love is constant and never changing.
Some questions to think about...
• Does God know your situation?
• Is it too hard for Him to handle?
• Does He have a good plan for you?
Interacting with God on these three points can produce peace, satisfaction, and concrete direction on your journey.
Develop the Skill of Gratitude Everyday
God designed us for relationship with Him and others. We encounter some people but for a moment, and yet other relationships endure for a lifetime. All are worthy of appreciation.
Appreciation produces joy in our life and increases the opportunity for us to notice others that have made positive contributions to our lives for which we can be thankful.
Try these 4 steps for creating more gratitude in your life.
• Remember a relationship where you have felt joy, peace, well-being.
• Savor that feeling and experience it with all your senses. Thank God.
• Seek “God, what do you want me to know about that?”
• Share the experience with someone.
Keep the Relationship More Important Than the Problem
Problems and challenging situations will always be with us; some are our responsibility and others are not, but often we take them on anyway.
Obtaining and applying effective problem solving skills is highly valued in our culture and rightly so. But consider how often solving the problem becomes more important than maintaining and valuing the relationships involved.
Ask yourself the question, “Am I valuing this person more than the outcome of this task?”
Improve Your Communication Skills
It is scientifically true that bonding connection happens with our eyes. Our brain is designed to communicate to others “I am glad to be with you” 6 cycles per second. That’s amazingly miraculous!
If we listen to the intent of the speaker, not just their words, we will hear a more complete communication.
When listening:
• Encourage the speaker to elaborate on what they are sharing.
• Urge clarification by asking, “Why?”
• Don’t moralize.
• Magnify the pleasurable details of the story.
Quiet and Rest
If you observe a baby sleeping on a parent’s chest, that would give you a working definition of how God has designed us. The rhythm of joy and quiet in our lives predicts the level of good mental health we can experience over a lifetime.
Practice quiet and rest everyday (several times if possible). Ideas for practice:
• Find a less noisy place and close your eyes.
• Lower your heart rate by breathing deeply and slowly.
• Play soft music, without lyrics.
• Check your thoughts. Are they positive or negative?
It all sounds very doable even as I write it. It’s the ‘regular practice’ that provides the challenge.
Often, I can become overwhelmed if I bite off more than I can chew. Let’s notice our capacity and take small bites, celebrating our successes along the way.
Come Holy Spirit and fill us with strength and stamina to follow you. Teach us from the inside to interact with you and others in life-giving ways and to listen with our hearts. And Good Shepherd, teach us to enter into quiet and rest all along the journey with you. Jesus, we will give you all the praise and glory you deserve, Amen!
Question: Have you tried any of the suggestions listed above? How have they helped you?