new discoveries.

i'm finding that it's easier to find joy when you give it to others.

God is dealing with my spirit. the broken parts. i've been asking for joy and trying to take it deeper with Him. i've been talking about how the enemy has been trying to steal my joy. there are parts of me that were convinced that it was working. until yesterday, that is.

the enemy can't steal your joy, he can only convince you to give it to him.
he can only tell you it's steal-able.

and this is where i find myself last night. praying for others, speaking joy into their lives, realizing that when i'm drowning in sorrow, i'm living for myself. there's nothing about sorrow that isn't selfish. and when i pour out of myself (and know in confidence, that i'm not emptying myself, because i spend time with Him every single day i can), i find this inexplicable joy welling up in me. i start laughing for absolutely no reason. it's ridiculous, and yet exactly what i bargained for. we were made to live for others.

and that's where joy comes from.