I want my joy back!

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Ezra 8:21–9:15 
1 Corinthians 5:1-13 
Psalm 31:1-8 
Proverbs 21:1-2

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Proverbs 21:2 (CSB) "All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs hearts."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

All too often the average Christian can shake their head in affirmation with the lyrics of an old Keith Green song:

"My eyes are dry, My faith is old, My heart is hard, My prayers are cold. And I know how I ought to be, Alive to You and dead to me."

All too often, we could easily lament our spiritual declension. However, we typically don't. We typically go on about our business assuming that things are alright between us and God. 

Yet, there is no compelling desire to remain in unbroken prayer with the Lord. There is no joy within us that causes us to "sing and make melody to the Lord in our hearts" (Ephesians 5:19). There remains shattered relationships that we don't seek to mend. Our Bibles collect dust throughout the week. We get very little out of the worship services at our local church.

And we wonder what's wrong. 

Or, worse yet, we assume that this is what the Christian life is supposed to look like and we don't assume that something is wrong.

Well, it's quite possible that if this is our experience, we need to do a little soul searching. To be even more specific, we need to invite the Holy Spirit to do some soul searching in us.

Because, more than likely, there are hidden sins in the corners of our minds and hearts that are blocking us from experiencing the power and joy of God's presence. Satan wants for nothing more than for those unconfessed, un-dealt-with sins to remain unresolved.

But, we desperately need help in this. We simply lack the ability to do a personal, deep, soul-cleaning.

Proverbs 21:2 (CSB) "All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs hearts."

Do you desire for more of God? Do you want more joy than you presently have? Do you want God to have free reign in you so that He can do God-things through you?

Essentially, do you want revival?

Then, don't assume that simply because your ways seem right to you that everything is OK. Ask the Lord to search your heart and listen to what He will say.

Hints:
- Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any area that needs attention / confession.

- Spend reflective time in God's Word constantly comparing yourself to the standard in Scripture. (Consider journaling your journey.)

- Ask a close friend(s) to help you on this journey by pointing out areas of concern that they have noticed. Give them permission to ask you some tough questions that will make you very uncomfortable but will work toward a deep, soul-cleaning. Be ready to confess (agree with God that it is sin) and repent (turn from the sin with the intention to not do it again) of anything that comes up.

- You may also need to spend some time with a Christian counselor who has the skill to ask probing questions and help you deal with what gets brought up.