Month: September 2018

September 25, 2018 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Joy in a Toxic Workplace

Joy in a Toxic Workplace

Are you in a workplace that robs your joy?

I was talking with a friend this morning who said that on Sunday afternoon he had a pit in his stomach thinking about work the next day.

He had started the day in worship with his family of believers. But, whatever joy he had experienced at church was wiped out with the thought of tomorrow.

Your work situation may not be that bad, but you may still sense a loss of joy almost daily.

You wrestle with that reality against a statement like this, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.” (Romans 15:13 NIV) And “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-17 NIV)

Reading those verses doesn’t lift you up at all. Instead, you feel worse because you’re failing to do what they say. You may even question your spiritual maturity.

A toxic work environment can bring down the strongest of believers.

It doesn’t have to be that way with you. Consider this: You’re not in your job by accident. God has chosen you to be there in his divine plan. That simple realization takes you out of your world into his.

Now imagine the possibilities! You’re Christ’s ambassador in your workplace.

I challenged my friend with one question. And I challenge you with the same one.

“What is one thing you can do to change the culture of your workplace?”

Whether you are in leadership or you’re down the ladder, you can make a difference.

I’m not asking you to turn the company around. I’m asking you to consider the one thing you can do to change the culture in your sphere of influence.

Jesus changed the world one person at a time, one group of people at a time. He did some of his greatest work apart from large crowds. And his influence caught fire.

Your influence can catch fire, too. Not in your own power, but as the Holy Spirit uses you and He works in the hearts of people around you.

Start every day with the One Thing Challenge and watch joy re-enter your life.

(Experience more joy when you read my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Joy).

Your Life With God - 30 Days of Joy

September 18, 2018 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Feeding Your Joy

Feeding Your Joy

Have you ever met someone who is constantly happy, smiling, laughing, looking on the bright side—always? You’d think this person would bring joy to our lives, but they often annoy us.

It could be that they aren’t joyful at all, even though they appear to be.

Joy is not a constant emotional high. Yet, we expect it to be. We beat ourselves up when joy seems to leave us. We whisper to ourselves that we aren’t living up to God’s standards because we aren’t joyful.

Joy is deeper than an emotional high. The roots of joy run to our soul, just like a flourishing tree has roots running deep underground. Sometimes joy is expressed in peace, contentment, assurance, faith or a relaxed spirit.

Joy has to be fed. Where do you turn to feed your joy?

I can easily turn to the things of this world to try to feed mine. It doesn’t last long, because my soul has an insatiable appetite that temporal things can’t satisfy.

God’s Word feeds our joy. Not a surface reading, but an immersion into this Holy Book.  And that takes time.

Immerse yourself into one of these passages of Scripture today, then the others in the days ahead.  These truths will feed your soul.

  • Philippians 4:4-8. This passage starts with, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (NIV) In these five verses, you’ll find encouragement. You’ll also receive instruction on how to keep godly thoughts on the forefront of your mind. These thoughts will fill your soul and bring joy.
  • Luke 24. The resurrection of Jesus. This is a detailed account of his appearance to many and their reactions. Luke writes in a way that draws you into the story and makes you feel like you are right there with him and the others.
  • John 14:1-4. Jesus promises his disciples that he is going to prepare a place for them in heaven. The same is true for us. Read this and let your mind focus on the eternal, rather than the temporal here on earth. Your heart will be lifted up as you meditate on these verses.

You may want to approach the passage in this way:

  1. Read the passage.
  2. Silently think about it and see what God brings to your mind.
  3. Read it aloud a few times.
  4. Pray whatever comes to mind in response to God’s Word.

This practice should never become a ritual. It’s a great way to slow down and let the Word penetrate your heart. Feed your joy.

(Experience more joy when you read my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Joy).

Your Life With God - 30 Days of Joy

September 11, 2018 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Lift Someone Up Today

Lift Someone Up Today

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” (I Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)

One of the best ways to experience joy is by getting our eyes off ourselves.

We did an exercise at work recently that was downright encouraging. We were sitting at round tables with a sheet of paper in front of each of us. A co-worker’s name was printed at the top.  Our task was to write down one compliment about that person and then pass the paper along.

This exercise went on for 20 minutes as we wrote and passed, wrote and passed. A word, a phrase, a sentence for each person.

When we were finished, every sheet was filled with compliments. The leader then gave each person their sheet.

I read mine and I was instantly uplifted. No matter who you were in that room, no matter what your emotional state was when you walked in, you were feeling better when you left.

Two things happened that morning. Each person received encouragement reading their sheet of compliments, given by those they worked with every day.

I think a more important thing also happened. Each one of us was encouraged by giving compliments. We took our minds off ourselves for 20 minutes!

Self-centeredness can absolutely rob us of joy. We think we’ll be happy by concentrating on our own needs. But the opposite happens.

Dwelling incessantly on personal struggles or being preoccupied with achieving great things lead to the same place. Isolation. And that’s a joy killer for anyone.

Who comes to mind when you think of someone struggling right now?

A neighbor? Co-worker? Family member? A good friend?

Get that one person clearly pictured in your mind and answer these questions:

  • What’s their name?
  • What’s their struggle?
  • How are they feeling right now?
  • What is one thing you can do for them to lift them up?

Becoming the answer to that last question is your joy assignment today. It may simply be a phone call. It may be stopping by and praying for them. Or bringing a meal. It may be cleaning their house. Or sending them a card. For a co-worker, inviting them to lunch . . . and listening.

This person needs to know someone cares. They need someone to walk with them. They need encouragement.

Today, make someone’s day. As a result, you’ll be encouraged, too.

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (I Peter 4:8-10 ESV)

(Experience more joy when you read my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Joy).

Your Life With God - 30 Days of Joy

September 4, 2018 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Joy and Your Thoughts

Joy and Your Thoughts

What’s on your mind these days?

I remember a lengthy season in my life when I was wrestling with some professional and personal issues that left me drained at the end of each day.

Over and over, I would play things through my mind. There was no resolution. I was plagued with the same thoughts day after day.

Have you ever had a season like that?

During those weeks, which stretched into months, I leaned into the Lord. I got more serious about immersing myself into his Word. I studied passages, even the entire book of Luke, in depth. I knew I had to wash myself with God’s Word.

My prayer life became more intentional and regular. I often journaled my prayers to the Lord. I poured out my heart as I sought God’s solution to my tough situation.

I can honestly say that despite the heartache, there was a sense of joy in my life. I could still face the day, laugh now and then and enjoy time with people. Despite everything pressing in on me, I had joy.

Yes, there was an underlying sense of angst. I won’t kid you. But joy was still present.

I experienced what Nehemiah 8:10 clearly states, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

So I ask again, “What’s on your mind these days?”

If joy escapes you because something is consuming your thoughts, I want to encourage you. Be intentional about your study of the Word and your attention to prayer.

If you’re on top of the world right now and joy is filling your life, praise God! I still encourage you to go deep with God in the study of his Word and enjoy rich prayer times.

You see, it doesn’t matter whether we’re up or down, joyful or not, we need the food of the Word and oneness with God.

Meditate on this verse today. Use it as a trigger for your prayer time. Even now.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8 ESV)

(Experience more joy when you read my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Joy).

Your Life With God - 30 Days of Joy

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