For some reason, winter seems longer than other seasons. Although it has a three-month period like any other season, it seems to extend beyond the first signs of spring. Many of us long for better days to come, not only warmer weather but also renewed hope and joy.
If you’re ready to step into a brighter season, here are 4 joy-filled things to look forward to.
1. Missions filled with joy
“I press toward the goal to win the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. » (Philippians 4:13 ESV)
Has God ever given you a mission? Something you knew without a doubt and what He was calling you to? Heavenly missions give us something to look forward to. We pray about them, we prepare for them, and we approach them with joy. When the Lord puts something on our heart, He gives us everything we need to accomplish it.
• Step into a new ministerial role
• Serving our communities in new ways
• Open our homes with warmth and hospitality
• Raise funds for a noble cause
Joy-filled missions always correspond to our spiritual gifts, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:7-11when Paul says, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us that we may help one another. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise counsel; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives one person great faith, and to another the gift of healing. It gives one person the power to work miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. It gives another the ability to discern whether a message comes from the Spirit of God or another spirit. Another person is still able to discern whether a message comes from the Spirit of God or another spirit given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another has the ability to interpret what is said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts.
What joy to know that the Holy Spirit distributes these gifts as He sees fit. And when we engage in these missions – with willing hearts and hands – God’s purpose is accomplished. God’s calling upward is something we look forward to every day. We “manage” to share with those who need it. We can build up the body of Christ. And we can serve according to our gifts with determination and strength. Let this reignite joy in your heart as you look forward to your next holy mission!
2. Journeys filled with joy
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Don’t you see? I will make a path through the desert. I will create rivers in the dry desert.” (Isaiah 43:19 NLT)
If your journey has been clouded by disappointment lately, I encourage you to take a look through the telescope of God’s perspective. Stand before the lens of His perfect will and contemplate your joy-filled future.
Things won’t always be this bleak, my friend. Better days are ahead. The light of God’s love will eventually bring you out of your desert season. Every faithful step you take will become lighter, easier, and filled with joy. Like the beloved words of Psalm 16:11 say: “You make me know the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. »
Allow yourself to imagine an illuminated path ahead of you. Joy fills the air as you move forward with anticipation for the future. The dark road behind you is a thing of the past and you gladly run for His name’s sake. As Psalm 119: 32 says: “I will follow the way of your commandments [with purpose]for you will give me a willing heart. (AMP)
My friend, there is something beautiful just around the corner. For God is about to do something new; maybe He has already started. Open your eyes to the trail in the desert and the river in the desert. It gives you something to look forward to here and now.
3. Achievements full of joy
“He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6 KJV)
Sometimes achievements get a bad reputation. We’re told not to put too much emphasis on personal success, and in many ways that’s good advice. It is wise to guard against pride and selfish ambition. But that doesn’t mean we minimize what God does through us. There are many outstanding achievements worth celebrating.
• Complete a project so others can benefit
• Write a book to help people on their journey
• Sell your artwork for the glory of God
What achievement could you hope for in the days to come? Is there a special project that you have put on the back burner that needs to be restarted? Has the Lord prompted you to take on a new job, a new area of ministry, or a new field of study? Pray for guidance and receive His answers with joy. This could be a new season to celebrate!
4. Joy-Filled Fruits
“If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and thus become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have told you these things, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.John 15:7-11)
When we are stuck in dry seasons without seeing much fruit, we can become listless and unmotivated. We see people around us doing amazing things for God and we wonder if we will ever make a difference. But in all our efforts to produce fruit, we forget the most crucial thing: respect.
• Abiding in his Spirit
• Remain in His Word
• Remain in his will
• Abiding in his love
We can’t do anything without Jesus. His life passes through us by the power of his Spirit. His Word comes alive when we read it, meditate on it, and believe it. The pressure to perform disappears when we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. And his love propels us forward, producing fruit with joy.
Stay in Jesus while waiting for better days to come. And as he said in John 15:7“Ask what you want and it will be done for you.” Don’t be afraid to ask God for renewed hope and joy. Pray for sunny paths, holy missions and rewarding achievements. These are things to look forward to as the long days of winter fade into the warmth of spring. A new, brighter season is about to begin!
More resources for better days:
7 Prayers for Better Days Ahead
7 Simple Ways to Brighten Someone’s Day (And Yours Too)
Photo credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/wirbnbrinf
