Dancing Through Life by Candace Cameron Bure, Erin Davis Page B
Authors: Candace Cameron Bure, Erin Davis
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frustrated with my kids, a smile has the power to diffuse the situation and remind me of how much fun they are. In my marriage, simply smiling at my husband will cause neurons to light up in his brain that will lead to lower stress and increased happiness. As I interact with others through work, church, and friendship, my attitude will impact the quality of those relationships.
My circumstances may not always be happy, but I can still choose to respond with joy. In fact, that was something I heard over and over from people who watched the show. They said:
“Thank you for being joyful.”
“Thanks for responding with joy even when the judges were being critical.”
“I could see joy all over your face.”
Choosing joy is God’s idea! It’s a theme woven throughout His Word.
Galatians 5:22 lists joy as the fruit of the Spirit. It is what hangs from our lives because of Jesus.
1 Chronicles 16:33 says that God made even the trees of the forest to sing for joy. Ever seen a beautiful tree swaying in the breeze? That’s joy on display!
Esther 8:16 says that God’s people have light and joy and gladness and honor. Joy is one of the hallmarks of believers.
In Psalm 5:11 and Psalm 68:3 God commands us to be joyful.
2 Corinthians 7:4 says we can be overflowing with joy even in times of affliction.
Joy isn’t the same as happiness. Happiness is totally dependent on external circumstances. If things go well, we are happy. If things don’t go well, those happy feelings end. Joy comes from something deeper and more significant. It is not dependent on circumstances, but is a consistent, unsinkable response to what Christ has done for us, instead of what is currently happening to us.
My friend, and one of my favorite Bible teachers, Angela Thomas said it this way, “JOY defined—the inner attitude of rejoicing in one’s situation regardless of outward circumstances. One of the fruits of a right relationship with God.” 5 (Angela is so wise! You’ll read more from her later.)
Whew! That’s good stuff, but it can also be a hard truth to wrestle with. Joy is the right response because of what God has done for us. Difficult circumstances cannot erase His love for us. Tough times cannot change what He has done for us. So, no matter what we face, we always have cause for joy. But joy also works like a barometer for the state of my heart. If I’m joy deficient, my focus is off.
When talking about joy, Angela went on to say, “The followers of Jesus have been given lavish gifts from God. Most of us open the ones we need most and too many of us leave the gift of joy unwrapped or still in the box.” 6
As I struggled to learn the jive, I could have chosen to stay frustrated. It would have compounded the problem, making learning more difficult, and it would have been like leaving a gift that God intended for me to have for this journey unwrapped on the ballroom floor.
The Superhero Power of Joy
First Chronicles 16:27 is describing God and says, “Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His place.”
Psalm 16:11 became one of the verses I clung to during my DWTS journey. It says, “You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy ; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures” (emphasis mine).
Wherever God is, there is strength and joy but these are not qualities God keeps to Himself. Where God is, joy is. When we are in close proximity to Him, seeking to know Him, we will experience joy.
Why is joy such a gift? Is it just about warm fuzzies? No way! What’s amazing about joy is that it works like a superhero power to strengthen us in times of weakness.
There’s an Old Testament story in which the prophet Nehemiah is talking to God’s people at a time when they are deeply troubled. The whole nation is weeping when Nehemiah says these words, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not
My circumstances may not always be happy, but I can still choose to respond with joy. In fact, that was something I heard over and over from people who watched the show. They said:
“Thank you for being joyful.”
“Thanks for responding with joy even when the judges were being critical.”
“I could see joy all over your face.”
Choosing joy is God’s idea! It’s a theme woven throughout His Word.
Galatians 5:22 lists joy as the fruit of the Spirit. It is what hangs from our lives because of Jesus.
1 Chronicles 16:33 says that God made even the trees of the forest to sing for joy. Ever seen a beautiful tree swaying in the breeze? That’s joy on display!
Esther 8:16 says that God’s people have light and joy and gladness and honor. Joy is one of the hallmarks of believers.
In Psalm 5:11 and Psalm 68:3 God commands us to be joyful.
2 Corinthians 7:4 says we can be overflowing with joy even in times of affliction.
Joy isn’t the same as happiness. Happiness is totally dependent on external circumstances. If things go well, we are happy. If things don’t go well, those happy feelings end. Joy comes from something deeper and more significant. It is not dependent on circumstances, but is a consistent, unsinkable response to what Christ has done for us, instead of what is currently happening to us.
My friend, and one of my favorite Bible teachers, Angela Thomas said it this way, “JOY defined—the inner attitude of rejoicing in one’s situation regardless of outward circumstances. One of the fruits of a right relationship with God.” 5 (Angela is so wise! You’ll read more from her later.)
Whew! That’s good stuff, but it can also be a hard truth to wrestle with. Joy is the right response because of what God has done for us. Difficult circumstances cannot erase His love for us. Tough times cannot change what He has done for us. So, no matter what we face, we always have cause for joy. But joy also works like a barometer for the state of my heart. If I’m joy deficient, my focus is off.
When talking about joy, Angela went on to say, “The followers of Jesus have been given lavish gifts from God. Most of us open the ones we need most and too many of us leave the gift of joy unwrapped or still in the box.” 6
As I struggled to learn the jive, I could have chosen to stay frustrated. It would have compounded the problem, making learning more difficult, and it would have been like leaving a gift that God intended for me to have for this journey unwrapped on the ballroom floor.
The Superhero Power of Joy
First Chronicles 16:27 is describing God and says, “Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His place.”
Psalm 16:11 became one of the verses I clung to during my DWTS journey. It says, “You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy ; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures” (emphasis mine).
Wherever God is, there is strength and joy but these are not qualities God keeps to Himself. Where God is, joy is. When we are in close proximity to Him, seeking to know Him, we will experience joy.
Why is joy such a gift? Is it just about warm fuzzies? No way! What’s amazing about joy is that it works like a superhero power to strengthen us in times of weakness.
There’s an Old Testament story in which the prophet Nehemiah is talking to God’s people at a time when they are deeply troubled. The whole nation is weeping when Nehemiah says these words, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not
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