Now…amid all the chaos of our world…every one of us has faced moments of fear and anxiety. Fear (the reaction of choice encouraged by the mainstream media right now) and anxiety (or worry) are really forms of unnecessary suffering. Instead let’s learn to be happy/joyful NOW!  Not someday: when the kids are back in school, or the job is done, or things are back to normal (whatever that is) but right NOW!

Corrie ten Boom tells us, “Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear.”

Right now it seems to me, almost everything I read, hear, and see in our everyday world is a cycle of inefficient thoughts

whirling around a center of fear. But, when I go to God’s Word for encouragement and instruction regarding “fear” I see God saying “Fear NOT” over three hundred times.

When I go to God’s Word searching for a solution to my “whirling thoughts” I find Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians:

We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.

2 Corinthians 10:5 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Three steps to take toWARD real JOY NOW

There is great spiritual power in the following formula. It releases great joy and peace into life.

1. Accept yourself now. Apply 1 Corinthians 15:10 and Jeremiah 1:5 every day. God says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you”
Apostle Paul said, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.”
2. Accept others now. Somebody, somewhere is depending on YOU to do what God has called you to do. Your dream of serving the Lord does not have an expiration date. Take a deep breath and try again.
3. Accept circumstances now. Make a Godly plan for this season. Stop looking at what is wrong and be grateful for what is given. You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need to recognize are the possibilities offered now, embrace them with courage, faith and hope. Whatever is good for your soul…do that.

Try it and be JOYFUL NOW. And remember…growth is that miraculous area north of good enough and south of perfection.

it is a time to celebrate with a hearty meal and to send presents to those in need, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. You must not be dejected and sad!”

Nehemiah 8:10 Living Bible (TLB)