Skip to main content

Day 110: Choose joy!


July 3, 2020 


I learned something while reading today that I thought was interesting.  The most common term used in the Bible for “worry” is a Greek word, merimnate.  It sounds a lot like marinate, as in getting meat ready to cook, by letting it soak in something.  Isn’t that what we do when we worry?  We soak our brain in fear and anxiety, which breaks it down and makes it weaker.  Also, interesting (at least to me), merimnate comes from merimnao which is made up of two words: divide and mind.  So, when we worry, our mind is divided.  (rather than in one piece)  So, the solution is simple: Don’t worry! (Be happy!)  If only it was that simple.  Maybe we could change our “marinade” to praise, joy, you know, good things!  If we could let God’s love and hope for us soak into our brains and make it all the way to our heart, we could probably have a better day.  The base of this marinade would be gratefulness, being thankful for what we already have, and praising God for all of it.  When we focus on what is already good and right in our life, this is what infuses our mind, making it more open and tender to God’s grace and mercy.  So, let’s prep our mind with thankfulness so our heart will be infused with joy!  I know I just recently used this verse, but it fits so well today.  Philippians 4:8 (TLB):  ”Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.”  Romans 12:2 (TLB) says:  “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you.”  Choose joy!  Smile and be joyful!   

A song to “fire you up”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA7n7TwPDmw


Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 3, 2022 at 10:25 PM

    A hallmark of all Rootz merchandise, the more you play at Wheelz, the better our methods adapt at tailoring the right rewards for you. Gamble it up like a excessive curler, and we’ll roll out the VIP 우리카지노 treatment. Wager more modest amounts - and you’ll get decrease worth rewards based mostly in your play.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

  There comes a time for most boats when they need their hull scraped free of barnacles.  One website says that “a barnacle-free surface is essential for smooth cruising”.  According to Google, this process is more easily done if the boat is removed from the water.  I guess God thought I needed some maintenance work, as He has dry docked me.  Four weeks ago, I had shoulder surgery.  Apparently, when I do something, I do it up big.  It turned out that I had not only a rotator cuff tear, I also have something called frozen shoulder.  I was shocked when the doctor originally told me I would miss 6 weeks of work.  I told him this is no time for that.  Teaching virtually and in person at the same time is not something that can just be handed over to a substitute teacher, if one can even find a substitute willing to take it on.  When the recovery time was bumped to 12 weeks (thanks, frozen shoulder) I very nearly decided to just live with...
1 comment
Read more

Day 188: Thank a Teacher

These last few weeks have been quite challenging at work as the teachers in my school district have been asked to teach both “face to face” students and “at home” students at the same time. (As in, simultaneously !)   Multi-tasking has always been “a thing” in education, kind of like being a mom, but with more kids (who are not your kids) and less bathroom breaks.   The job description is un-writeable even in “normal” circumstances.   As a teacher I am accustomed to juggling many tasks at the same time.   It is a talent I had (nearly) perfected over time.   This school year my usual act of juggling balls and bowling pins while keeping plates spinning on tall sticks has been upgraded with the addition of chain saws, knives and flaming torches.   (Thank you, technology, learning management software and unstable internet!)   And did I mention I do all this blindfolded?   (while wearing a mask?)   One of my new sayings is “I don’t even know what ...
Post a Comment
Read more

In God We Trust

  Today is election day.   I’ve never seen a political race more closely watched, worried about or polarizing. I am not concerned about the outcome.   The Ruler of the Universe is in control.   On a day when the nation feels so divided, my prayer is that people will remember their “common ground”, the things we can all agree on rather than the things we disagree on.   Disappointment and discord are inevitable whatever the results, throughout the nation, within cities and neighborhoods and unfortunately, even within families.   Days like this one are Satan’s favorite.   He is at the ready with his giant stick to stir the pot of our discontent.   Instead of discontent, let’s fill our pots with all the things we agree upon and treasure.   If each “side” can be gracious and not lash out or boast, Satan will be missing even more of the ingredients needed for his recipe for disaster.   Rather than fanning the flames of discord and fear, perhap...
Post a Comment
Read more