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 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!
In 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.
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Thank you for posting this and introducing me to Adria, I need to “get to know” her!
I often need to be reminded that joy is always available but often we need to search for it to see it.
Thank you for this post and thank you for entering me into the book give-away!
God bless you both!
I truly enjoyed this blog and also the podcast. Thank you Adria for sharing with us. I had forgotten about ‘smelling the roses’ as we used to call it years ago. Taking the time to even walk around the house and look at the trees, the flower beds, the neighbors home and maybe even get to wave to the neighbor as they leave for work. Who knows what will be found that will bring joy and excitement into our day. You reminded me not to always be so serious but to seriously look for joy in even the simplest of places. I will share this blog on Facebook and would love to have your book, Adria. God bless you both for sharing encouragement and God’s love in a very special way.
I needed to read this today. We have had days on end with no sunshine and it is too cold and windy to walk outside. I have been stuck in grief so many days since the death of my grandson. So I need the reminder that I can find blessings if I look for them.
I do find I am most close to God when I am in nature, but in the winter I don’t get out much.
God’s creation is full of surprises and breath-taking beauty. Whenever I’m in the rural area of Grass Valley, CA, I find the forests and waterways full of mouth-dropping scenes. God’s masterpieces bring my heart joy and peace as I hike the trails and try to keep up with my grandchildren. Nothing compares to being out in nature with loved ones and finding contentment and peace as we soak up such glorious views. Our God is so great and brings us these scenes to lift our hearts in praise. Taking time to notice all the sights brings me such contentment.
When you are intentional about looking for His sudden glories as I like to call them, you will find them? Life is hard sometimes and if we are not intentional we miss all the beauty along the way. I’m trying to get in the habit of writing down those moments and things I’m thankful for! Thanks for the reminder!!!
Joy is a choice! I’ve discovered that keeping a gratitude journal helps me make the choice on a daily basis. Even when I wake up feeling meh, listing things I’m grateful for soon dispels my so-so mood.
I love this! So true, God’s joy-filled blessings ARE all around us! I especially love submersing myself in His creation, not only do I enjoy His blessings that way, I also learn more about Him!
Every time we open our eyes to a new day, we must make a choice, will I live godly or worldly today. If you chose “godly” that means you are also choosing to exhibit the fruit of the spirit — love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness & self control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
LOVE the gift card illustration! I am sure the women will never forget this lesson!
Wonderful reminder to see God all around us each day. I have been making it a habit to watch the sun come up most mornings and it has been such an amazing blessing!
I am currently going through a couple of major joy sappers, so I really appreciate Adria sharing her story. Sometimes just knowing that others are weathering storms as well can lift my head.
Thank you. Being reminded to look around for joy was what I needed today
Amen, Thank you for posting such a blessed article. Love your insights and encouragement. Blessings.
Visiting from Let’s Have Coffee,
Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope we see you again soon.