Something Special

Devotional | Beth DeGrace | Dec 18, 2022

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I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. Philippians 1:3 NIV

Devotion:

I was not on good terms with “joy” for most of my life. I wanted to know joy. I wanted to know what it was like to feel the lightness and levity of joy, not the sense of being buried in darkness. Joy is a gift that I unwrapped in the last 15 years. I invite you to join me in one of my aha’s.

My father took my mother to her many cancer treatments. They loved meeting new providers because they would inevitably be asked the question “How long have you been married?” The script that ensued went like this:

Provider: “How long have the two of you been married?”
Dad: “We have been married two wonderfully happy years.”
Provider: “Oh, how nice.”
Dad: “Out of fifty years.”
Mother: “And trust me, they weren’t the last two.”

Every. Single. Time. The script never got old to my parents. They laughed and shared something special that transcended the gravity of the moment. Is that what joy is—a way of not letting life circumstances dictate our state of being or is it something else?

Positive psychologists have studied and continue to research the construct of joy. Interestingly, in a recent literature review* on joy it was suggested that the biggest contributor to experiencing the state of joy was a grateful disposition. Additional findings included: repeated experiences of joy are thought to build resources (mental and physical) for survival, joy makes you more intensely you while ecstasy obliterates the self, and joy is a response to God’s salvation and a confidence in God’s goodness. In conclusion, the review suggested that “joy” is an emotion, mood, disposition, and spiritual fruit.

What a marvelous God we have that he gave Paul to be grateful and share his joy. “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy” Philippians 1:3 NIV.

Circumstances do not dictate joy, but our choices to act with gratitude does. During this season my encouragement is to relish the “specialness” of God. Every breath of air that fills our lungs is a gift ready to be unwrapped. Lightness and levity come from our beautiful creator.

To come full circle, here is what I would have told the younger Beth. “First off Beth, you silly girl, you don’t deserve the air you breathe. It is time to buckle up and stop expecting things to bring you joy. Today forward, give thanks and more thanks. When tempted to complain, compare, whine, think self-defeating thoughts–girl, give thanks. You see, a side effect of noticing the good God has provided and blessed you with will release something very special inside of you. That is joy.

PRAYER

Father God, I thank you for allowing us to witness joy that comes from a posture of gratitude for all that you have done and continue to do. We give thanks in knowing that through our gratitude we will experience your gift of joy. Please help us during this season where unmet expectations threaten to cloud your gift of joy and special moments, help us to be reminded that in all things we have you and allow this to stir joy in our heart.

Beth DeGrace

Director of Kids Ministry

Beth DeGrace is the Director of Kids Ministry with the Crossings Community Center church service. She loves being a part of the new church service and walking with Crossings staff to show the community what the love of Jesus looks like.

*Johnson, M. K. (2020). Joy: A review of the literature and suggestions for future directions. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 15(1) 5-24.
*Watkins, P. C., Emmons, R. A., Greaves, M. R., & Bell, J. (2018). Joy is a distinct positive emotion: Assessment of joy and relationship to gratitude and well-being. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 13(5), 522–539.

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