Seeking joy through habits

A week ago I wrote a post about disengaging with some of the social media that dominates so many lives. The decision came after several days of gentle prodding by the Spirit. It has proven to be extremely hard to stay completely away. I still find myself going to pull it up on the browser more frequently than I care to admit.

What I have found, is the time I do spend on there has been more intentional. Typically I'll use it to check in on two different groups that encourage either bible study or my crochet project for the year. The time spent there has been significantly less. The second mindless scrolling starts, the page gets closed and attention turned to other things.

Start of 2020 temperature blanket

As each day comes, I find the internal challenge to open the page less often and spend even less time on it. Especially when the time spent hinders growth. Growth in any area.

I found myself this morning listening to the words being spoken during the sermon. The words both affirmed the steps I'd taken to focus less on the things of this world and focusing instead on God. At the same time, my heart was challenged and convicted.

These feelings are lingering still. Hours after hearing the sermon. I can feel something stirring deep within. A movement coming on that I cant quite pinpoint yet. The challenge is straightforward, am I forming my habits? Or are my habits forming me? A call to intentional living. A challenge that led me to revamping my storage for my bible study material for easier access.

This feeling within is uncomfortable, for sure. Past experience tells me that the most beautiful transitions happen after the most discomfort. While I pray, journal and seek the meaning behind this stirring I will continue on this journey that I've taken on.

Minimizing the time spent on social media a little more each day and instead using the time to create. Using the urge to open the browser as incentive to turn to open the bible instead. Being more intentional connection with my favorite humans. Seeking each day for more authentic connection. More on that later, I'm sure.

For now, my focus will remain on creating healthier habits. Studying scripture each day through reading and writing. Praying each day, usually by writing them out to help keep my focus. Choosing to listen to worship music instead of turning on Netflix. Opening my bible or a book rather than my phone. Interacting with those in my home rather than scrolling through nothing. Cooking at home over ordering out. Crochet one of several projects that I have going on over randomly searching for empty entertainment. The list could go on.

One thing I'm sure is that this struggle within will coincide with my word of the year.

A new decade

The last 12 months were filled with some life altering events. It was a year of deep loss and near-devastating sadness. Daily life changed quite rapidly. Each day a step of faith and trust.

In the fall, in the midst of grief, physical struggles, and many other things God saw fit to send a stranger to deliver a message. At the end of a concert a vision was shared with me. From a total stranger, an angel I'm convinced.

The vision, one that made no sense to this person, made perfect sense to me. A prophecy meant specifically for me. Sent at the perfect time. To soothe an aching heart. One that gave hope and light in the midst of darkness.

The promise that the sludge within (grief, sadness, gunk of life) was being forced out. Replaced with something greater. Replaced by an everlasting fruit. One that is only provided by the Spirit.

Naturally, since this encounter anything even remotely related to this word has jumped out at me and reminded me this His promise to me is Joy. Not a temporal feeling but an internal, eternal, resonating joy. No matter what comes my way, He has promised joy will remain.

As many do every year, I began to reflect, pray, think and look toward the coming year. And still, the only thing my heart repeated is "joy is near. Joy is on the horizon. Joy will sustain."

So the word for 2020 picked me. This year will be a year of joy. Studying it. Reacquainting myself with its meaning. But most importantly making God the top priority because if I'm not connected to the giver of Joy, how can I ever expect to live joyfully.

As I began looking at the word joy. Definitions, both dictionary and biblical. Searching out scriptures. Listening to songs, because let's face it, I'm my father's child and music often sinks in quicker than anything else.

Oh the gold mine that was found.

My scripture for this year is:

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.        -Psalm 51:12 (ESV)

This one resonated in my heart. Joyful had always been a word others used to describe me. I hadn't realized it had diminished. My prayer is for the restoration of said joy. My part of this is to maintain a willing spirit and allow the joy to penetrate every part of my being.

I also stumbled upon a song that I hadn't heard before. One that so perfectly puts into words everything I feel and look to feel in this time of restoration.
https://youtu.be/VDiETOLBvxA

This is the start of my discoveries. I plan to share more of what I've found during my searching as time goes on.

I hope you'll join me on this journey.

Are you on your own journey? Have your own resolution? A word you want to learn about this year? I'd love to hear your heart too!