11 Practical Steps You Can Take Today to Increase Your Joy

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

These 11 practical steps will help you live every day with joy, despite your circumstances.

1. Entertain only uplifting thoughts. 

Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. Proverbs 4:23 (GNT)

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

2. Speak only uplifting  words. 

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)

3. Be content. 

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Philippians 4:11 (NIV)

4. Focus on opportunities within adversity.

As Tony Robbins said, “Where focus goes, energy flows.” 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

5. Surround yourself with optimistic people. 

Evil company corrupts good habits.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV)

6. Rely on God’s promises. 

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

7. Pray. 

Pray continually.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)

8. Recognize that God is using circumstances to make you like Jesus.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29 (ESV)

9. Give thanks in all circumstances.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

10. Serve others.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

11. Maintain an eternal perspective.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:20 (NIV)