A Daily Walk to Joy in the Midst
by Anne M. Del Vecchio
Joy in the Midst is a one-year devotional for women with a unique approach. Take an imaginary back packing trip over the Mountain of Gloom to the Lake of Still Waters with the author as she shares her true story of finding joy through God’s word despite trials and tribulations raising her family. Sit by the campfire as Anne teaches God’s lessons empowering women to be strong and courageous. Make it your own through daily scriptures and journaling. A Daily Walk to Joy in the Midst is a call for God’s women to come out of discouragement and embrace life.
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Preview Chapter:
Lumbering Black Bear
Week 28, Day 1
Better a woman meets a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly. (Proverbs 17:12)
Ladies, over there, a bear! A black bear lumbering along through the forest! Make noise, yell, and clap your hands. Fun to see but not too close! Bears, even strolling bears, become dangerous if they think we have food or move between Mama bear and her cubs. ~
Just as an unexpected bear may come plodding along the trail, so can worry, doubts, and anxiety, stroll into your life during a typical day. We need to be alert, to clap, yell, do whatever, to send the potentially dangerous emotional intruder on his way.
As is frequent for me, I awoke with trouble on my mind. Worries steeped and cycled. Knowing from long practice and God’s instruction, exactly what to do, I gave each concern over to God. I surrendered my family to One who can save and transform.
By the time my brain was fully engaged I was silently singing, “Today is the day the Lord hath make; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Hot tea in hand, still in pajamas, God and I met in my private corner where I sat for a moment just staring out the window. “Lord, guide my day. Show me what is meaningful amidst the routine. Often, it all seems so pointless and repetitive. Grant me your gift of gladness of heart and satisfaction in my work today.”
My quiet moments are often brief, then off I rush. Occasionally, time grants a gracious hour. Encouraged and refreshed by the word of God, I sought my Honey Bear Husband for morning hugs. Though grey and rainy outside, sun shone in my heart. God had control over the lives of my loved ones, so I left it with Him (at least for the moment).
Starting victorious, however, does not mean ending it so. Countless times I have exited my prayer corner, rejoicing, to have an immediate fight with my husband or issue with my children or a daunting task. Almost every single afternoon my spirits dive. Let’s examine the lumbering bear named “Slump.” Slump tempts women to wallowing in discouragement and self-pity. Lord Help!
Here are the most common factors that start the downward spiral:
- Fatigue and low blood sugar.
- Inability to tackle an overwhelming task.
- Unpleasant words with someone important to you.
- Clutching your troubles and worry to your breast.
- Bad habit of destructive self-talk.
Our heart cries out again,
How long O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? (Psalm 13:1–2a)
Still, if we look up and remember Him, he speaks encouragement, yet again,
You, my daughter, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)
Then He reminds us,
For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edges sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12–13)
Therefore, He has provided the tools to overcome this daily emotional dive; to do the NEXT RIGHT THING. God is with you and will help you if you but take one step in the right direction. Only a fool ignores a bear coming their way. Better to apply scripture and get a grip on your downward spiral; your bear named Slump.
While shopping in a thrift shop, discouragement suddenly overwhelmed me. My worry from the morning, descended upon me again with fruitless, self-incriminating thoughts. However, when Slump threatened to ruin my attitude, I implemented the Stop Cure (see the action tools). Outwardly, I kept looking at stuff, but inwardly I prayed, recited scripture and praised God. If anyone noticed, a woman was considering a blouse. No special event. Yet for me, inside, victory in Jesus. With God’s grace, Slump defeated! If I can do it, so can you!
That was exciting, seeing a bear! Once, as a young woman of twenty-one, I ventured backpacking alone. Foolish me. That night I was asleep on my tummy in my bag without a tent when a bear cub walked across my back! Well, I made a noise all right, screaming and yelling, scaring the cub away. Thinking about the mama bear, I grabbed my whistle, pot and spoon laid near the head of my bed. I blew and banged for a considerable time. The cub and mama bear wandered away. Thank God. ~
Prayer: Lord, in the moment of everyday life, we forget to turn to you, especially during “slump” times. Seal scripture in our minds and bring it to the forefront when we needed it to fight off the daily slump. Thank you for victory through Christ Jesus. Amen.
Hide in My Heart: “For I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me,” (Romans 8:37).
Choose Today: I have victory because of Jesus even over the afternoon slump!
Week 28, Day 2. Read: Psalm 13:1–2a.
Journal: Write the specific time of day for you often feel discouraged and depressed. Now consider how your mind spirals downward. What thinking ignites and fuels this lumbering bear?
Action Tool: Stop Cure
STOP! (Remember a stop sign.)
U-TURN. If negative self-talk sneaks in, say to yourself, “Thank you self, but I prefer to trust in the Lord.”
EYES UP! Pray and praise.
Week 28, Day 3. Read: Hebrews 4:12–13.
Journal: Pray for a verse that will set your eyes on Him. Record the scripture you find to counteract this slump. (Tip: Pick a word that relates to your downward thoughts. Search the Bible index for related verses.)
Action Tool: Build endorphins (feel-good hormones) by taking a brisk 10-minute walk.
Week 28, Day 4. Read: Proverbs 17:12.
Journal: Consider whether your slump is due to a physical issue. Educate yourself on what to do for fatigue, high or low blood sugar, etc. especially when life is stressful. Record what you find.
Action Tool: PROTEIN SNACK. Notice a routine fatigue that appears emotional but is physical. Have a healthy snack handy; praise God while savoring it.
Week 28, Day 5. Read: Romans 8:37.
Journal: Consider whether the slump is due to feelings of being overwhelmed. How can this be countered with healthy thinking and actions?
Action Tool: FIVE MINUTE RULE. If it is a task that is daunting you, tell yourself 5 minutes is all you need to give it, and then you are free.
Joy Trails – Living this day in joy
“This is the day the Lord hath made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
1) Live today! If you concentrate on your regrets and sorrows of yesterday, or long for a different tomorrow, you will miss out on every “today”. Ephesians 3:14-21
2) Eyes up. Look to God for strength and blessings, even if all you can manage today is to pray “Help!” Ps 86, I Peter 5:7, Ps 28:7, Phil 4:4-7
3) Choose to Believe. We can choose to believe our doubts or choose to believe our God. Strength and wisdom come in acting on our belief that God is.
3) Accept Reality. Until we accept reality, we cannot move on to wholeness. Look realistically at your circumstance. Consider what you can and cannot do to change it. Take the action you can, accept what you cannot change. Rom 5:1-4m 1 Peter 4:12
4) Journal your pain. Pour out your pain to the Lord in a private journal, turning it over to God. Ps 69 (an example of Peter journaling his pain)
5) Grieve deeply. Cry, wail, run, talk to a friend. Then claim a scripture for restoring life to your soul and step out of misery. Ps 31: 7-9, Proverbs 14:30
6) Forgive. Forgiving someone sets you free to be better, not bitter. Call on the power of God to enable you to forgive. I John 2:9, Col 312-14
7) Choose Joy. How many days of your life do you want to waste being miserable? To find joy in the midst of sorrow, you must set your mind to choosing it, looking for it, creating it. Phil 4:8, Josh 1:9
8) Pray for the gift of gladness of heart. Gladness of heart is a gift of God to enable us to be satisfied in our weary lot in life. Ask Him daily for this gift.
8) Count your blessings. Sometimes they are hard to see, but every morning list 10 blessings. Be thankful for them. Proverbs 21:21
9) No Self-pity, no excuses. Self-pity, even when we think we have a right to feel it, is a spiral down to despair. Fill the void with a blessing. Ps 27:13, Timothy 1:7, Matt 6
10) Cheerful self-talk. Speak encouragement to yourself. Say “Yes, I can cope, with God’s help. Yes, I will have joy again. Yes, I will find the goodness of God again in the land of the living.” Phil 4:13
