by Joyce Meyer
Enjoying life is something most people want to do. But joy doesn't happen all the time on its own. It doesn't always come naturally. Enjoying life on a consistent basis takes effort. If you want joy, you must make a decision to do a few things. Lets take a look at some things you can do to enjoy your life consistently. Even if you consider yourself happy, you can increase your happiness by putting all of these three tips into practice.
Thinking is something you can do on purpose. You must think about what you're thinking about, then decide what you're going to spend time thinking about, and then think those thoughts on purpose. Why? Because what you think is what you become.
When it comes to thoughts, you can think whatever you want to think. You don't have to accept whatever thought drops by for a visit. Do your own thinking, and if you're smart, you will spend time thinking on things that will add power to your life. You'll think powerful thoughts, not just pitiful thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 says, For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
If you think good thoughts, you will increase your joy in life. So why would any reasonable person want to think things that will make them miserable? I'll never stop talking about the mind. Last year, I wrote a book about it called Power Thoughts. Another book on this subject I wrote years ago is called Battlefield of the Mind. Many people have found these books to be helpful with changing the way they think.
No matter where you are right now, you can say, "Something good is going to happen to me". Before I speak at a conference, I say out loud, "We are going to have a wonderful meeting. I believe that people's lives will be changed."
You don't have to be hopeless because you can hope on purpose. There's a scripture in Zechariah I love that says we can be prisoners of hope. In other words, I'm going to just hope, I'm going to make a decision to hope.
Some of you might say, "What if I hope and then I get disappointed?" Well, at least you were happy while you were hoping.
The mouth is an important tool that can either draw you toward joy or pull you further away from it.
James 3:9 says that with the same mouth we praise God and curse other people. It goes on to say the mouth is like a wildfire that no one can control but God can help us. You must be careful what you say. You must think before you speak.
I almost fell out of my chair when I read 1 Peter 3: 10. It says, Let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days (good - whether apparent or not) keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit)
If you want to enjoy your life - choose your words wisely.
And don't forget this
Christians must know who they are in Christ and have a balanced appreciation for how God made them. Remember, you were created in the image of God. Having this truth in your heart is healthy and leads to inner peace. And peace produces joy in our lives. Satan is always trying to take this truth away from you. He's called the devil, the serpent, the father of lies, and other ugly names in the Bible. And he has little helpers we call demons who try to help spread his lies. I know many people don't like to talk about this, but I know it's important for you to now.
You don't have to just sit back and let the devil do this. We, as believers, have authority over him. You will never gain victory over the devil through passivity. Wishing for joy isn't going to get it done. You know what I always say - you don't need a wishbone, you need backbone.
So be sure to not only read these three tips on how to enjoy your life more, but do them. You must PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE to see results.
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from Enjoying Everyday Life, A Joyce Meyer Ministries (JMM) magazine August 2011 issue
Enjoying life is something most people want to do. But joy doesn't happen all the time on its own. It doesn't always come naturally. Enjoying life on a consistent basis takes effort. If you want joy, you must make a decision to do a few things. Lets take a look at some things you can do to enjoy your life consistently. Even if you consider yourself happy, you can increase your happiness by putting all of these three tips into practice.
JOY Tip # 1 - Pay attention to How You Think
Thinking is something you can do on purpose. You must think about what you're thinking about, then decide what you're going to spend time thinking about, and then think those thoughts on purpose. Why? Because what you think is what you become.
When it comes to thoughts, you can think whatever you want to think. You don't have to accept whatever thought drops by for a visit. Do your own thinking, and if you're smart, you will spend time thinking on things that will add power to your life. You'll think powerful thoughts, not just pitiful thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 says, For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
If you think good thoughts, you will increase your joy in life. So why would any reasonable person want to think things that will make them miserable? I'll never stop talking about the mind. Last year, I wrote a book about it called Power Thoughts. Another book on this subject I wrote years ago is called Battlefield of the Mind. Many people have found these books to be helpful with changing the way they think.
JOY Tip # 2 - Be a Person Full of Hope
No matter where you are right now, you can say, "Something good is going to happen to me". Before I speak at a conference, I say out loud, "We are going to have a wonderful meeting. I believe that people's lives will be changed."
You don't have to be hopeless because you can hope on purpose. There's a scripture in Zechariah I love that says we can be prisoners of hope. In other words, I'm going to just hope, I'm going to make a decision to hope.
Some of you might say, "What if I hope and then I get disappointed?" Well, at least you were happy while you were hoping.
JOY Tip # 3 - Control Your Mouth
The mouth is an important tool that can either draw you toward joy or pull you further away from it.
James 3:9 says that with the same mouth we praise God and curse other people. It goes on to say the mouth is like a wildfire that no one can control but God can help us. You must be careful what you say. You must think before you speak.
I almost fell out of my chair when I read 1 Peter 3: 10. It says, Let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days (good - whether apparent or not) keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit)
If you want to enjoy your life - choose your words wisely.
And don't forget this
Christians must know who they are in Christ and have a balanced appreciation for how God made them. Remember, you were created in the image of God. Having this truth in your heart is healthy and leads to inner peace. And peace produces joy in our lives. Satan is always trying to take this truth away from you. He's called the devil, the serpent, the father of lies, and other ugly names in the Bible. And he has little helpers we call demons who try to help spread his lies. I know many people don't like to talk about this, but I know it's important for you to now.
You don't have to just sit back and let the devil do this. We, as believers, have authority over him. You will never gain victory over the devil through passivity. Wishing for joy isn't going to get it done. You know what I always say - you don't need a wishbone, you need backbone.
So be sure to not only read these three tips on how to enjoy your life more, but do them. You must PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE to see results.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
from Enjoying Everyday Life, A Joyce Meyer Ministries (JMM) magazine August 2011 issue
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