Joy is like a muscle; the more we develop it, the stronger it becomes. Here are two exercises to help you develop inner joy:

1) Try to show more gratitude. ‘Give thanks in all circumstances’ (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). Notice that it doesn’t say be thankful for all circumstances, but in them. Hans Seyle, a researcher who has studied stress, says that gratitude produces more emotional energy than any other attitude. So look for more ways to express gratitude. Send a text or male a call to someone to tell them how much they mean to you and how much you value having them in your life. And don't forget to express gratitude to God. The psalmist says, ‘With my song I praise him’ (Psalm 28:7 NIV). If you’re not usually a joyful person, start singing praises to God and watch your attitude change!

2) Look for ways to give. ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35 NIV). Someone once joked ‘When it comes to giving, many people will stop at nothing.’ Let's reject that attitude and be generous when we can. The Bible tells us that ‘God loves a cheerful giver’ (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV). That's because we're most like God when we give, and He doesn’t give grudgingly or half-heartedly. He's filled with generosity. The Bible says that God can ‘throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it’ (Malachi 3:10 NIV). It's impossible to outgive God. As an old farmer said, ‘I shovel it into God’s storehouse, and He shovels it into mine – but God has a bigger shovel.’

What Now?

At the end of the day, write a list of all the things you’ve been grateful for today. Make it as long as you can. (Even if something seems silly or insignificant, include it – God’s in the small stuff too!) Go through the list and say a few words of praise to God about each item.