JOY or STRESS – your choice!

To miss out on joy is to miss out on the reason for your existence. –CS Lewis

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Did you know that you can CHOOSE joy? That sounds simple, but how do you choose joy? One way to choose joy is by paying attention to what you focus on!

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“He is a wise man (she is a wise woman) who does not grieve for the things which he has not but rejoices for those which he has.” – Epictetus

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The key is to NOT focus on what we DON’T have, but REJOICE over what we do have! This takes a conscious effort on our part because it’s easier to see what’s NOT working than to see what IS working. It’s easier to focus on what’s NOT right in this world and in our lives than than what IS going right!

You cannot think two things at the same time. You cannot feel two things at the same time. Thinking about the bad in your life makes you feel bad, while thinking about the GOOD allows you to FEEL good. Which one will you choose today? If you actively choose to think about your blessings, you are choosing JOY and will start FEELING JOY!

There is ALWAYS something for which we can be JOYFUL!

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

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“GOD has a GOOD FUTURE planned for YOU!” That alone is a reason for joy!

Take a minute to write down 5 GOOD things in your life. Allow these positive thoughts to REPLACE any negative ones.

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Here’s another option:

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This was taken from a something I wrote in The 40 Day Joy Challenge for Moms! If you are a mother and would like more encouragement, visit the helpclubformoms.com