Full of JoySample

Meet Joy’s Best Friend: Gratitude

If joy had a best friend, it would probably be gratitude. Joy, thankfulness, and peace just seem to love to hang around one another! Oh, and hope. They’re like four besties, actually. 

But it seems like gratitude is so often the key to unlocking joy. If you wanted to measure how much joy a person has, then checking how thankful they are would quickly show you. 

Watch this Big Stuff, Tiny Book video for more on gratitude’s role in finding joy.

So, now you know why you’ve been working on a gratitude journal while you’re reading a Bible Plan about joy! Gratitude snaps us out of cynicism, jealousy, or entitlement. It redirects us to contentment, thankfulness—and joy! 

Ask yourself: What are three specific things that happened today that you’re thankful for? 

Challenge yourself: You definitely know what to do. Grab your gratitude journal and write down your answers to the “Ask yourself” question above. Want a little more challenge? Write down the reason you’re thankful for each thing that happened today, too! 

Pray: God, thank You for teaching me about choosing to be grateful. I do choose it, and I choose to live a life of full-volume joy! Help me to find more things to be grateful for every day. And help that gratitude to grow more joy in me every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.