I remember a time in my life when I believed the lie that “I must just be joy-immune.” I now know that was a lie, but I’ve also come to realize that sometimes we have to intentionally look for joy amongst the rubble of our lives. Adria Wilkins and I recently discussed her search for joy in the midst of the most painful times in her life after the death of her young son. If you missed that discussion on Your Hope-Filled Perspective podcast, you can click to listen here (Hope for Discovering Joy in the Midst of Pain – Episode 94). Today I’ve asked Adria to share more with you about how she has found joy-filled blessings all around and you can too.

Read to the end for a book giveaway!

Joy-Filled Blessings All Around
By Adria Wilkins

When was the last time you took a walk in God’s creation and noticed the blessings along the way? God has given us animals, plants, people, and all of creation to enjoy.

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to put tomato plants in my garden. I love to watch them grow, bloom, and produce the red, juicy fruit.

Joy-filled blessings waiting to be found

God has blessings for us each day. He may not always put them right in front of us. We need to look around for them.

I enjoy speaking at women’s retreats. One thing I like to do is arrive early and sneak around the room and hide gift cards. When we get started, I ask the ladies, “Have you experienced any blessings so far today?” Most of the time no one responds. Then I say, “Maybe you weren’t looking for the blessings. There are surprises in the room just waiting to be found.” At first, they think I am making it up, but when they realize I am serious, they begin to run around the room looking for what I have hidden.

Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

God’s blessings that bring joy

Many times, we are in a hurry to get to somewhere and we haven’t taken the time to stop and think about the lovely blessings God has provided for us. It would be good if we took the time to stop and think about all that God has created for us to enjoy.

We are created to praise God. He provides bountiful blessings in small and big ways. From the tiny ant to the blue whale they were all created to bring joy into our lives. We need to take the time each day to soak in God’s creation.

One day, my family went for a walk in a neighborhood park. While walking and chatting we noticed a tree on one side was bare of leaves, but when we walked around to the other side, the tree was full of beautiful, orange leaves. I told my family, “If we hadn’t taken the time to walk to the other side, we would have missed something very beautiful.”

Psalm 65:8-9 says, “The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it.”

When was the last time you were in awe of nature? Have you ever taken the time to praise and worship in nature? Describe the details of the moment. Take some time over the next several days to pray and ask God to give you a moment of awe and wonder outside in nature. His creation is waiting and bursting with joy.

About Adria Wilkins

Adria Wilkins, Joy Box StoriesAdria Wilkins enjoys telling a story, adding sprinkles of joy and a few extra dollops to liven it up. After suffering the unthinkable- the death of her 3-year old son Blake, she found that Jesus sustains, and even surprises His followers with joy. Adria has an accounting degree from Western Kentucky University. She and her husband, Erik, live in Northern Virginia and have three children: Katie, Blake, and Anthony.

Connect with Adria: Website / Facebook / Instagram

 

Book Giveaway!

Joy Box ournal by Adria WilkinsIn conjunction with this post and the podcast interview, Hope for Discovering Joy in the Midst of Pain – Episode 94, Adria Wilkins is giving away a free copy of her book, The Joy Box Journal.

Leave a comment below sharing with us one thing you learned about searching for blessings and you will be entered into the contest.

You could also share this blog post on Facebook or Twitter then comment here to tell us where you shared it and you’ll also be entered into the drawing.

The winner will be selected at random and announced next Monday, February 8, 2021, here on this post. Continental United States only.

 

Depression doesn’t have to become a permanent part of life.

There is hope.

Depression doesn't have to become a permanent part of life. There is hope. Hope Prevails and Hope Prevails Bible Study.

Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression and the companion Hope Prevails Bible Study help the reader understand how depression comes to be, recover their joy, reclaim their peace, and re-establish their true identity, while knowing their worth, remembering their secure destiny, and being confident that nothing separates them from God’s love.

Hope Prevails and the Hope Prevails Bible Study are must-reads for anyone suffering from depression or knows someone suffering from depression.

“Dr. Michelle Bengtson’s enlightening book, Hope Prevails, provides a master blueprint for overcoming negative thoughts and toxic emotions. Targeting a generation who feels lost and hopeless, this book provides meaningful help to everyone who has endured unexpected heartache, pain or trauma.

Hope Prevails offers effective answers on how to overcome loss and reach for a life brimming with peace, joy and limitless dreams. Reading this book will drastically improve your life.” ~ Tracey Mitchell TV Host, Preacher, Author, Downside Up

 

God has given us animals, plants, people, and all of creation to enjoy. When was the last time you took a walk in God’s creation and noticed the blessings along the way? They aren’t always in plain sight. Sometimes, we have to look around for them. #blessings #faith #hope #joy

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