I have lost some joy. Let’s just start out being real. Maybe it has happened to you too.
Days come and days go by. The monotony of life marches on. I make dinner for over an hour only to see it consumed in less than 10 minutes, and then there are still dishes to do. Laundry is never done. My kids have dug through the laundry pile looking for something to wear more times than I can count with me encouraging them all the while saying, “Do a sniff test. If it smells OK then it is good.” I have delayed grocery shopping to the point where my cupboard is bare, and the kids are begging for food.
I feel like I am not doing any one thing well. I feel like I am not being a good enough parent, a good enough housekeeper, a good enough cook, a good enough worker, a good enough Christian, or a good enough friend.
Partly, I am doing so much that I am overwhelmed. I have over committed my time. I am involved in lots of great things, but enough to stretch me really thin.
I have lost some hope, because I have put too much hope in myself.
The realization came to me as I lay awake one night this week. I have lost some hope, and I have lost some joy in the everyday. The reason is because I have lost some of my connection to the vine.
Jesus says in John 15:5 (ESV), “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
How can I expect to have joy or hope when I am not looking toward the cross, but going about my day in my own power. Nehemiah 8:10 claims “the joy of the Lord is your strength”. So, this week I started praying for more joy in my life.
Praying For Joy
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of parenting
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3
Restore to me the joy of homemaking
“..to be self controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” Titus 2:5
Restore to me the joy of cooking
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Restore to me the joy of serving
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Restore to me the joy of hospitality
” Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” 1 Peter 4:9
Restore to me the joy of fellowship“not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25
Restore to me the joy of hard work“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” Proverbs 10:4
Restore to me the joy of fitness“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
As I have been praying my new prayer focused on joy, Christ has been faithful to give me what I have asked. I have a renewed sense that what I do does matter. It is important. My kids need clean clothes, and my husband really enjoys a delicious hot meal. I am not alone in my work if I am connected to the vine. Christ alone is my strength, my joy and my hope. He is the giver of all good things including renewed joy.
“The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.” Proverbs 10:28
I put some Joy oil from Young Living on every morning and pray that the joy of the Lord would be my strength for the day as I put it over my heart area. It really has helped me so much. I used to have lots of times of depression & hopelessness. I love the prayers you suggest too! Thanks for sharing your heart! You're such a great Mom! Love and miss you friend! (((hugs))) are free!
I am glad you liked some of the prayers I shared, April. It has given me a peace as I have been praying for joy and has helped me to refocus of my mind too, I think. Yes, as you know hugs are free!