Several years ago God began revealing something to me: I saw spiritual things as being very important and I enjoyed them, but I dreaded all the “secular” tasks in life.
I felt they were things that I should hurry and get finished so I could get back to doing something spiritual. The devil was using that deception as another way to rob my joy.
I used to feel really good about myself, happy about myself, when I was praying or reading the Word, listening to praise music or a teaching CD, or when I was in a spiritual meeting doing things I felt were important. I felt good about “spiritual” things I did because I thought those things were pleasing to God.
I wanted to finish natural, “secular,” tasks such as grocery shopping and housecleaning as quickly as possible so that I could go back to doing the things I thought were really important.
The bottom line is, we spend more time doing those mundane, routine tasks than we spend doing anything else. God wants to anoint us in a supernatural way to handle ordinary, everyday tasks, so that we can be exceedingly joyful in the midst of them. This is the area where we can be witnesses to the world.
Anybody can enjoy life when having a good time. But Christians can enjoy life no matter what the circumstances because we know that God is always looking for ways to reveal His love to us in every moment.
Remember, God’s love casts out fear, and dread is fear. Therefore when we dread things, we are not walking in the reality of God’s love and care for us. Refuse to dread and start enjoying every aspect of your life.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A New York Times bestselling author, her books have helped millions of people find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, she teaches on a number of topics with a particular focus on the mind, mouth, moods and attitudes. Her candid communication style allows her to share openly and practically about her experiences so others can apply what she has learned to their lives.
Joyce hosts a TV and radio show, Enjoying Everyday Life, which broadcasts worldwide to a potential audience of 4.5 billion people. She has authored 100 books, which have been translated into more than 100 languages. More than 12 million of her books have been distributed free of charge around the world, and each year millions of copies are sold.
Joyce conducts close to a dozen domestic and international conferences every year, teaching people to enjoy their everyday lives. For 30 years, her annual women's conference has attracted more than 200,000 women from all over the world to St. Louis for specifically themed teachings by her and guest speakers.
Through her teachings, God has provided opportunities to meet the needs of the suffering and bring the Gospel in a practical way. Joyce's passion to help hurting people every day is foundational to the vision of Hand of Hope, the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries. These outreaches around the globe include feeding programs, medical care, homes for orphans, and programs combatting human trafficking. In her hometown of St. Louis, Joyce and Dave, her husband, founded the St. Louis Dream Center (SLDC) in 2000. The SLDC serves the inner city through hands-on programs targeted at reaching the lost and hurting with the love of Christ.
Over the years, God has provided Joyce with many opportunities to share her testimony and the life-changing message of the Gospel. Having suffered sexual abuse throughout her childhood, as well as just dealing with the struggles of everyday life, Joyce discovered the freedom to live victoriously by applying God's Word to her life and in turn desires to help others do the same.
Joyce is and continues to be an incredible testimony of the dynamic, redeeming work of Jesus Christ.