Day 11 - Relating in Joy

“Those who sow in tears shall harvest with joyful shouting.”
​Psalm 126: 5

​Meditate or Reflect
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes that “for everything there is a season” (3: 1), and this verse from Psalm 126 is another example of our seasons of life. The antonym of joy is sorrow, and in this verse, and elsewhere, we see that the cycle of life is sometimes a procession of sorrow interchanging with joy. It is a hopeful thing to know when in the season of sorrow that joy will come in its time. And sorrow can show up in several ways: grief, sadness or depression, loss of just about anything. But we are confident and turn to joy, in time, knowing that God is in control. Take a breath and think of areas in your life where you may be experiencing sorrow. Is it time to turn toward joy? Consider the ways God has been gently inviting you into joy with Him. 
 
Thoughts and Behaviors
Turn to your thoughts. Are your thoughts generally joyful, or sorrowful? Consider the verse from Psalm 126 and reflect on these questions with the Spirit’s help: 

• Are you relating to God with thoughts of sorrow or joy? What changes can you make?
• Are you relating to yourself with thoughts of sorrow or joy? What changes can you make?
• Are you relating to others with thoughts of sorrow or joy? What changes can you make?

(Including people you know, and people groups you don’t know like politicians, athletes, celebrities, a different race, religion, or nationality). If joy is a challenge for relating with others, begin by praying for them.

• Are others relating to you with joyful words? If others are despairing toward you this may be a relationship that should give you pause to consider your options for relating to someone who is despairing toward you, and set new boundaries.

 
Observe your behaviors. Are your behaviors generally joyful (confident that God is in control)? Consider the verse from Psalm 126 and reflect on these questions with the Spirit’s help: 

• Is your behavior toward God joyful? What changes can you make? Praising, singing. 
• Is your behavior toward yourself joyful? Confident that God is in control.
• Is your behavior toward others joyful? Welcoming, genuine care, hospitable?

(Including people you know, and people groups you don’t know like politicians, athletes, celebrities, a different race, religion, or nationality). If joy is a challenge for relating with others, begin by praying for them.

• Are others relating to you with joyful behaviors? If others persistently steal your joy, this may be a relationship that should give you pause to consider your options for relating to someone who is a joy stealer (like sarcasm, for instance), and set new boundaries.

Flourishing and Protecting
When you experience someone who consistently lacks joy (unless there is a medical condition to consider like major depression or chronic illness where compassion may be more needed than joy), take time to determine if the relationship can be repaired, and take the appropriate steps for protecting the joy you desire to experience before the Lord. And remember that joy is a blessing from God. Also search yourself to see where you have been bringing sorrow or joylessness to your relationships, and make any changes that could improve your part in a relationship. 
 
To flourish with joy in relationships means to have confidence that God is in control, and that you and those you have relationship with delight in the presence of the Lord. Take a breath and embrace the joyful relationship you have with God, receiving the blessing of joy from God because you are confident in Him. Also, express gratitude for the relationships where you experience the presence of joy.