Pause: A Month of Joy in Five Minutes a DaySample

Proclaim

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (Phil. 4:4-5)

Prompt

Joy is a habit. It can’t be a random occurrence you hope happens to you—it has to be something reflexive, something you carry with you all the time. Fortunately, as you well know, habits are something you can develop.

Here’s an example: when I first got sober, I started breaking my bad habits and making a new habit of praying on my knees every night, a habit I still (mostly) maintain. Even all these years later, I still pray on my knees nearly every night.

Habits and routines are really important as a rule, but especially as we step into a new year. It’s been proven that the best way to establish a new habit and keep it is to create a “habit trigger,” a simple pre-action that quickly and easily catapults you into your habit without you even knowing it.

I started incorporating these habit triggers into my nighttime routine, and in the past decade-plus, I’ve rarely missed out on closing the day with prayer.

Put a habit trigger into place for joy and watch how much easier it gets for you!

Prod

Brainstorm time! What habit triggers can you put in place to help you turn joy into a habit? Write them down!

Praise

Listen to “One Thing Remains” by Bethel Music

Pray

Jesus, thank you for giving me wisdom as I create these habit triggers for joy. I know that all joy comes from you, so when I experience joy, I’m really experiencing you! Help me to experience your joy more today, and more regularly as it gets easier and easier for me. Amen.