7 Changes to Pave the Way for Joy (A CrossRiver Author Hunt Post)

Posted by Nov 13, 2015 5 Comments

Welcome to stop #14 on the CrossRiver Author Hunt. 


After you read my blog post I wrote for you, feel free to peruse my site and get to know me a bit, then enter the giveaway at the bottom of the blog post. Join my email list and you will receive a copy of 21 Days of Hope.  
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 Before you head over to the next stop, collect 
the clue at the bottom of the post. You’ll need it 
to enter the drawing for CrossRiver Media’s giveaway.

Grand prize: 

One winner will receive a Kindle loaded with 
CrossRiver books! Winner will be chosen randomly from 
among those who enter the correct phrase.
Other prizes:
Four winners will receive hard copies of 3
 different CrossRiver books, signed by the author!


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7 Changes to Pave the Way for Joy
Joy can be slow to return once its gone. In Psalm 30:11 the Bible says, ” You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy…” Joy does come back! Here are a few things to help pave the way for joy. 

1. Start your day focused on the Lord.
Instead of looking at your to-do list first, spend time in prayer. Not just asking God for something, but worshiping and praising.

2. Change your input value.
What are we filling our minds with? Compare with God’s word what you watch on TV, books you read, music you listen, even video games you play. Philippians 4:8 is a great filter to put everything through before we put it in our minds and hearts. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Philippians 4:8

3. Change how you think.
As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. This follows close behind what we fill our minds with. We tend to dwell on what we have allowed into our heads. Change the input, it will be easier to change the output. Instead of default entertainment, spend more time in God’s word. If there is time for entertainment, there is time to spend with God.

4. Change your words.
We believe what we say. Don’t agree with the negative thinking! Acknowledge whatever pain or difficult is in your life, then acknowledge and stand in belief about what God says about you and your situation.

5. Chase joy.
Look for the surprises of joy God sends your way! Margeret Feinberg calls them joy bombs in her book Fight Back With Joy. You can also create moments that give you moment of uplift to look beyond your circumstance and dare to hope. I call these Joy Sprinkles: blow bubbles, go on a walk, hold hands with your honey, dance with abandon when no one is watching. 


6. Rest.
At the end of the day, instead of going to your default for relaxation, carefully consider what would really truly refresh you. Instead of TV or reading go to bed early. Our bodies need sleep.

Take time to just be still. Fill the in between moments with quiet instead of more work or the noise of other people or activities. Say no more often and leave some buffer space on your calendar. Take some extended time for rest at some point in your week.

7. End your day focused on the Lord.
Fall asleep praying instead of worrying. Talk to God about the situation instead of going over various scenarios of your own making. Then, spend some time praising him. Even if it’s in a whisper, do this out loud. It will make a difference when you hear yourself speak those words that stand on the belief that HE is in control.

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To celebrate the scavenger hunt,
I’m giving away a gift pack!
Enter below to win, then scroll
to the bottom to find your clue.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Thank you for stopping by during the 
CrossRiver Author Hunt! 

Before you go to the next stop collect your clue below. You’ll need this to enter the giveaway on the CrossRiver website. 

“honor Him.” 

You’re ready for the last stop now on the CrossRiver Author Hunt:  CrossRiver Media

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Have you stumbled onto the Author Hunt 
or forgotten what you’re supposed to do next? 

Here’s a quick review: 

~Visit every author’s site that is a part of the hunt. 
~Sign up for each author’s email list/newsletter for extra chances at fun giveaways. 
~Stop back at the CrossRiver Media’s website after you visit the last blog in the hunt and enter your clues for a chance to win the grand prize.
~Click here for a complete list of the rules.

Happy hunting!

About Angela D. Meyer

Angela D. Meyer writes fiction that showcases God’s ability to redeem and restore the brokenness in our lives. She is the author of This Side of Yesterday, The Jukebox Cafe (a part of Hope is Born: A Mosaic Christmas Anthology) and the Applewood Hill series. Angela is a member of American Christian Fiction Authors and has served on the leadership team of her local writers’ group, Wordsowers. Angela currently lives in NE with her husband. They have two children, both of whom they homeschooled and graduated. Lucy, a green eyed, orange tabby, who loves popcorn rounds out their family. Angela enjoys sunrises and sunsets, the ocean when she gets a chance to visit, and hopes to ride in a hot air balloon someday.
View all posts by Angela D. Meyer →

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