My 2018 Word for the Year

2018 Word for the Year

2018 was a tough year so I didn't get around to posting my "Word for the Year." So here I am doing a little catch up. My word for 2018 is one of my all time favorite words. I am taking this word into the current year and I am sure into the years to come. This little word holds so much potential and power. I am extremely thankful for the Joy of the Lord.

Joy

My Word: 

My Word for the year of 2018 is "Joy."

Definition:

1. a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. 

Synonyms: 

delight, great pleasure, joyfulness, jubilation, triumph, exultation, rejoicing, happiness, gladness, glee, exhilaration, ebullience, exuberance, elation, euphoria,bliss, ecstasy, transports of delight, rapture, radiance, enjoyment, gratification, felicity, cloud nine, seventh heaven

My Vision Board: 

Quotes:

"Joy-gladness not based on circumstance."

"The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. -Russel M. Nelson

"We cannot cure the world of sorrows but we can choose to live in joy."

"The root of joy is gratefulness."

"Joy comes to us in ordinary moments. We risk missing out when we get too buy chasing down the extraordinary." -Brene Brown

"Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are." -Amrianne Williamson

"Today, I choose Joy." 

"Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. -Henri J.M. Nouwen

"Joy is a decision, a really brave one, about how you are going to respond to life." -Wes Stafford

"It is not the Joy that makes us grateful.It is the gratitude that makes us joyful. -Davi steindl-rost

"Joy isn't about circumstances. It's a position of the heart."

"Joy is finding beauty in everyday things and grace in everyday places." 

"Choosing Joy is being able to see God's goodness even when life is hard and messy." 

Invitation:

To find Joy in the every day. To find Joy in the little things. To seek the Joy of the Lord in the midst of the hard things. To allow the Joy of the Lord to flow through our hearts, minds and life even when life is tough. To take the time to slow down and see all the good things that God has given us in our day to day living. To seek out and keep the things that spark joy in our lives. To surround ourselves with things that spark joy in our hearts. 

Let Go:  

To let go of the things that try to steal our Joy. To let go of things that have served its purpose. To let go of the things that don't spark Joy. To let go of the things that we hold onto that steal our joy

Reason why:

Life is short. God wants us to enjoy our lives and to be a blessing to others. The joy of the Lord helps us to make it through the hard places with His grace and peace. We have the choice to place our trust in God and be filled with His Joy and to enjoy our days here on earth. 

Bible Verses:

"You have filled my heart with a greater Joy..." Psalm 4:7

"You have made known to met he path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

Restore to them the joy of your salvation. Psalm 51:12

There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil but joy for those who promote peace. Proverbs 12:20

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace." Isaiah 55:12

"and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oals of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor." Isaiah 61:3

When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16

I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. Jeremiah 31:13

"yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:18

"The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy." Matthew 13:20

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Galatians 5:22

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2

"You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 1:6

"We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. My you be filled with joy." Colossians 1:11

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold- though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:6-7

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 

What I have learned: 

1.The Joy of the Lord is my strength.

2. Does it spark Joy? Is a great question to ask ourselves when choosing to decide if we should keep something or get rid of it. When we let go of the things that don't spark joy or have served its purpose we make room for all the things that do spark joy in our lives.  

3. Surrounding yourself with items that spark Joy helps in the day to day living.

4. We can be continually filled with God's Joy. (Acts 13:52, Romans 14:17, Romans 15:13, 2 Corinthians 8:2, Gal. 5:22, Phil. 1:26, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, Colossians 1:11)

5. We can worship God with joy and thanksgiving in the midst of tough situations. (Psalm 42:4, Philippians 1:4,)

6. God's Word is joy giving. (Matthew 13:20, 13:44)

7. Our family, children and fellow believers can bring us true joy as we live true community. (1 Thessalonians 2:20, 1 Thess. 3:9, 2 Timothy 1:4 )

8. We will have everlasting joy. (Isaiah 51:11-12, Jeremiah 31:12-13)

Join the Conversation

Is the word for the year new to you? Do you have a word for this year? How has your word impacted your life? Please share your word or any thoughts you may have. I would love to hear them!

Love and Prayers ❤

-Amber