Immanuel Lifestyle | Growing Joy

Joy is glad to be together. Joy only grows in the capacity to experience deepening relationship with God and with others! So, how do you grow joy?

To better understand this practice, it’s good to explore the value of memory. When you recall and reach for memories of the past, there's usually an emotional connection to it that infuses it with meaning. Memories are also telling of who you are - what you remember, how you identify, what and who you value, what experiences are unique to you. In other words, memories are a form of your stories.

You practice growing joy by growing your capacity to remember, savor, and collect memories and moments of joy. The emotional and experiential aspects of memory remind you of your humanity and therefore, is a way you are able to better connect and engage with one another relationally. Here’s how to practice growing joy:

1.      Begin by getting into a comfortable position. Relax your body by focusing on your breath. Take a deep inhale and exhale.

2.      Thinking of a joyful memory in your life for which you are grateful.

3.      Savor and relive the memory! Go over each of your 5 senses and remember how you experienced them.

4.      Give the memory a name. This helps us to easily return to or recall our joyful memories!

5.      What do you feel in your body as you fully remember this joyful memory?

6.      Consider right now, that God is glad to be with you in your joyful memory. Ask Immanuel God, "What do you want to communicate to me in this memory?"

As you intentionally make space to grow joy through memory, here's what will happen:

·         Your awareness of God's intention to interact with you in every situation will grow (not just in memory of the past, but in your present-day as well!)

·         Your ability to daily and regularly experience an emotional and relational state of joy will grow. 

·         Your relationship with God and with others will grow in joy!

This may take some practice, but is a powerful tool in developing greater awareness of God’s joy-filled presence across and in your life! Share this practice with a friend, add this to your Immanuel journaling, or expand from your appreciation 1-1-1 practice!