A surgeon practices his profession. It doesn’t mean he is rehearsing, experimenting with a few things here or there. That would be scary. A surgeon who is practicing is one who has completed his training and is now doing the real thing.

Contrast that with an athlete. He must practice over and over again so he will be fully prepared for competition.

We need to practice joy like an athlete or musician, not like a surgeon. Again and again, doing what it takes to get better.

“Practicing joy?” you ask. “How hard can it be?”

It’s a challenge to be joyful. Just observe your world as you go through the day today. At work, in the store, even at church. Count how many times you spot “joy.” Not Joy the cashier, but “joy” the fruit of the Spirit.

How about joy in your own life? How much of your day yesterday was characterized by joy?  Was it 20%, 50%, 70%?  Off the top of your head, pick a number. Your first thought is probably the right number.

I believe we need to practice joy in order to experience it as a way of life. Not as a counterfeit, self-made joy, but one which is Christ-centered and Holy Spirit fed.

Today, let me suggest the first step to practicing joy. Tomorrow, we’ll explore the second.

Hebrews 12:1 is our starting point, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” (NIV)

Your life might be weighed down by heavy things. The stuff of life. What comes to mind when you think of the weights that hinder you? Write them down. Throw them off your mind and on to that piece of paper, phone, or tablet.

Then send an email to God with this short list of things that are weighing you down, hindering you. Yes, I know you’ll get the email back. Just delete it. This exercise of releasing these things to God is the act of “throw(ing) off everything that hinders.”

Next, throw off the sin that is entangling you. It’s killing your joy. Confess it to God, claim the forgiveness of our Savior. Cast it to Jesus. You don’t need to email this list to God – I don’t recommend memorializing it.

These two simple acts will take just a few minutes. They will cleanse your heart, mind and soul.  You’ll be released from the things that hinder and entangle you.

The freedom and relief you’ll feel will open the door to joy.

Let’s talk about the next step tomorrow and what it really means to practice joy.

Enjoy your day of freedom today!

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