The Catholic Wife - Finding Joy

Finding Joy (February 8, 2008)

by Rachel Hayden

Sometimes, joy can be a very elusive emotion. Even the smallest thing can sneak in like a stealthy fox and snatch our joy away with no warning. Or we find ourselves worrying about a situation or potential problem to the point that our whole world becomes gloomy. Joylessness is a common attack by the evil one to keep us from feeling the love of God. When we are sad or frustrated, we are more likely to stray from our familiar paths and be tempted to sin. This pleases Satan to no end.

Lately, I have found that joy has been fleeting. Months of stress and frustration were beginning to take their toll and I found myself moping around the house, with very little energy to concentrate on the important tasks that needed completion (i.e. dishes, laundry, homework, etc.) And let me just add that I hate being depressed. I’m a surly depressed person and I tend to snap at my husband unjustly. There is nothing worse than that feeling of despair that settles in the pit of my stomach and gnaws away. But lately, I have figured out HOW to combat these feelings. Below are some ways that I have found to truly remove myself from the murky feelings of sadness and find my way back to joy.

Eucharistic adoration – I start with this one because it is, by far, the best way to truly find peace (in my personal opinion.) After all, what could possibly be better than spending quality time with Jesus? About 5 months ago, I discovered a 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration chapel in the town I work in. I go there on lunch whenever I can. Sometimes I go there just to go, with nothing driving me other than just to have quiet time with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. I have found immeasurable peace inside that small, old chapel. The smell of incense greets me when I walk in the door. The air feels so light and clean. Inevitably, I cry like a baby when I first settle my eyes upon the gleaming monstrance. But then the tears subside to a trickle and I quietly pray for the situation that has caused me such pain. And then – and this part is key – I offer my worries to the Lord and then just sit quietly and listen. I cannot explain how amazing it is to truly hear God when I take time to listen. I gaze upon the monstrance or watch the candles flicker in the votive stand and just listen. And I usually hear Him. It may not be a solution to the problem that I receive. It may just be that I can feel the Holy Spirit as it works within me. And the tears dry up, I bow to the altar, and leave feeling much lighter and freer than when I enter.   If you have not ever participated in Eucharistic Adoration, I urge you to find a church near you that has it and go. It’s the most wonderful experience, I promise!

Reflect on The Word - The Holy Bible is filled with wonderful, beautiful scripture passages reminding us to be faithful, not worry, and be filled with Joy. My favorite passage is, of course, Matthew 6:25-34:

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

So much of the comfort we need can be found within The Word. Read the scriptures and ponder them. Then, once again, be quiet and listen.

Prayer requests – Ask people to pray for you! Sounds simple but we don’t always think about it because we tend to bear our burdens alone. And when I say ask “people”, I mean you can ask strangers! In fact, I’ve had prayer petitions left at the grotto in Lourdes, France (filled out a request on the website), the prayer grotto at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, IN and other places. I also ask my family, of course, and those close to me. If your church has a prayer line or a prayer group, do not hesitate to call and get your concerns on the list. Return the favor, of course, by praying for others as well. There is immense relief in knowing that other people are taking your concerns to the Lord! And of course, you can also ask our Blessed Mother, your guardian angel, or your patron saint (if you have one), to pray for you as well.    Intercessory prayer is a powerful tool to reclaim joy and peace in your heart!

Do something good for someone else! – An amazing feeling comes over me when I get to help someone in need. Donate an hour at the food bank, help out at the hospital, visit retired religious or clergy in nursing homes, or donate to a charitable cause like Food for the Poor. Sharing our time, talent, and treasure is a truly wonderful way to bring joy to others. And it also brings joy back to you!

I encourage every woman to find her own way back to joy. It may be through areas I have suggested or you may have your own ways. The important thing is to never forget Jesus! When your heart is heavy, focus on Him. It is through God's beautiful grace that we all find peace.