The Joy Devotional

By Keabetswe Chakela

This Devotional: The Joy Devotional is a devotional written at a very difficult time in the author's life, she had gone through a season of loss and needed the comforter, Jesus Christ.  It was through the writting of this book that God began to comfort her and teach her how to use the Joy of the Lord as her strenght.  The book follows different subjects and challenges that we as Christians face, and tips on how to practically use God's word in overcoming challenges, stress, anxiety,etc. with chapters having a daily reflection, a scripture or prayer  that helps give deeper revelation.  At the end of each days devotional, there is a notes page to note any thoughts, feelings or what the Lord said to you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Keabetswe Chakela
• Release date: Mar 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215968192

Book preview

Understanding anxiety

UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY

In order to overcome and to deal with any problem or situation, we first need to know what we are dealing with.  Anxiety is defined as the mind and body’s reaction to stressful, dangerous, or unfamiliar situations.  It’s the sense of uneasiness, distress, or dread.  While, depression is defined as a mental disorder that is characterised by persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities.

But the bible tells us in Philippians 4:6, to be anxious for nothing, in this particular verse the bible is telling us to reject anxiety

REFLECTION:

Make a list on a piece of paper of the things that make you anxious and identify the root of the anxiousness, many times the things that cause anxiousness sometimes stem from the same root cause.

SCRIPTURE:

Phil 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding , will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

Ask for Help

––––––––

ASK FOR HELP

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, and many times we need to allow ourselves the opportunity to learn from those close to us, or even to ask for professional help when we feel that we do not want to burden our friends and family

Our story begins with the death of Lazarus in John Chapter 11, a beloved friend of Jesus Christ has died.  Jesus arrives to find those that had come to comfort Mary and Martha, sisters to the deceased Lazarus. It was a time of mourning and when Jesus arrives he does not hold back his tears and weeps with those that had gathered.  The bible tells us in John11:35 KJV Jesus Wept and this moment is significant because no matter who you are, we have all gone through some difficult times recently, some more than others.  Now if Jesus was able to allow himself a moment to sympathize and show his humanity and that weeping is not a sign of weakness but a sign of being human, then we need to remember to acknowledge our feelings, cry, admit we are struggling (ask for help through whatever avenue you are comfortable with), and then what we need is to replace those negative thoughts and feelings with good