Day 27 of Finding Joy in the Journey
Morning Session
Luke 15:7
I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
Repentant Joy is something we see in the bible – as we read above. David wrote about it. Jesus celebrated it. There is shame involed in this joy, but that is good. Not all shame is bad. That said, shame left to itself is stifling – even deadly. Here is a simple quote about shame’s impact on us:
The feeling of shame triggers the vagus nerve network in the back of our neck so that we instinctively drop our heads. This is why encouraging someone can sometimes be referred to as “lifting their head.” It is a sign that you are not ashamed of them and want to help them feel like themselves again.
~ page 55, The 4 Habits, Warner, Coursey
Session A: We continue revisiting joyful memories recorded on your Golden Moments list. Look for God’s presence in the joys. Invite Him to share thoughts about joys you’re recalling. Again, notice body sensations, attitudes, heart rate, etc.
Journal Prompt:
Practice seeing God in the present and past joys
Key Words:
Prayer
Jesus, help me return to joy from shame by knowing that honest repentance bring You joy, brings Father God joy, brings heaven joy. Amen.
Afternoon Session
Psalm 30:11
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.
You may have been shamed by others when you messed up, but God wants to keep you close.
From the Joyful Journey book:
From Synchronizing our brain with God, Step four:
Whether we feel connected to God or not, none of our weaknesses keep Him away. In God's presence, we are transformed. In step 4 you will write God's confirmation of His love for you by hearing Him say, “I am glad to be with you, my child.” Write what you perceive God might be saying to you in a kind, tender and loving way… We let God help us return to joy in steps 3 and 4 of thought rhyming. The way that Jesus helped Peter is a good illustration. Jesus seemed to know how big it was for Peter to have denied him three times (John 21). Peter felt defeated and hopelessly retreated back to fishing even after he knew of Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus found Peter and invited him back three times in parallel to Peter's three denials. Peter was restored once he experienced that Jesus still wanted Him in spite of His weakness. Once we return to joy with God's help we can live as His children.
~ pages 42-43, Joyful Journey, Wilder, Kang, Loppnow, Loppnow
Session B: Thought Rhyming as Immanuel Journaling:
Take one or two of your joys from today (or your list) and envision God responding with one or two sentence “thoughts” in the following areas: I see, hear you, understand you, am glad to be with you, and can do something about your situation.
Journal Prompt:
Envision God responding with one or two sentence “thoughts” in the following areas:
I see you,
I hear you,
I understand you,
I am glad to be with you,
I can do something about your situation.
Key Words:
Prayer
Immanuel, with Your help I can return to joy from my weaknesses. You can turn my mourning into dancing; and clothe me with gladness. Bring that joy! Amen.
Evening Session
Session C: Reflecting with Interactive Gratitude:
Spend five minutes reflecting on the day or week. Journal a sentence about what you are grateful for and then write down how Jesus might respond.
Journal Prompt:
Journal a sentence about what you are grateful for and then write down how Jesus might respond.
Key Words:
Joy gives us energy, hope, and the ability to express our love. Joy is what brings us together and invigorates us to look forward to our day.
~ page 9, The 4 Habits, Warner, Coursey
As you conclude one day and look forward to another, end this one in worshipful joy and prepare for tomorrow to full of hope and energy as you rejoice in the Lord.
Psalm 98:4-9
Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth; praise him with songs and shouts of joy! Sing praises to the Lord! Play music on the harps! Blow trumpets and horns, and shout for joy to the Lord, our king. Roar, sea, and every creature in you; sing, earth, and all who live on you! Clap your hands, you rivers; you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord, because he comes to rule the earth. He will rule the peoples of the world with justice and fairness.
Prayer
I am joining the earth in singing for joy, Lord;
I praise You with words (songs and shouts?) of joy! No harp, no trumpet, no horn – just me and You.
I give everyone and everything to You God;
I give everyone and everything to You.
Learning to practice appreciation and reflecting on joy from our past trains our brain to expect joy in the future.
~ page 79, The 4 Habits, Warner, Coursey