You're listening to Encounter, a simple daily podcast of sacred and mindful meditations

to help you encounter the divine presence of God all throughout your day.

If you want to have free access to the entire library of 500 meditations, I encourage

you to download the Encountering Peace app where all the meditations are free as they should be.

Over the past few years, much has been written of the many social and psychological and even physical

health benefits that come from giving thanks and being joyful. And perhaps the most popular

practice is to keep a gratitude journal. The simple act of writing down the things for which you're

most grateful and joyful. Yet it seems to be far easier to crawl under a blue blanket of sadness

than embracing joy. Do you ever find it more tempting to slip back into a closet of sorrow

than walk out into the light of joy? Well, this meditation from Psalm chapter 126 is a reflection

on joy. Learning to be mindful of how joy abides within every moment of our lives,

becoming aware of how even our tears can reap shouts and a harvest of joy.

So to begin, whether resting in the bright, joyful rays of morning sun or perhaps sorrowful

shadows of evening, yield to the next 15 minutes as a divine retreat. Time, not a disappointment,

but a moment of gratitude and joy for all that comes from God.

Allow your eyes now to move from open through a soft gaze to close.

And begin to permit your mind to center on the joy of Christ.

Consent for your body to become postured as you hold on to the giving hands of God.

And then, too, concede for your soul to be filled by the Holy Spirit.

Continue in this time of joyful and gracious reflection by listening and then responding to this

passage from Galatians chapter 6. And as I lead us, respond simply, Heavenly Father,

help my heart sing with shouts of joy. May God bless the reading and hearing of his word.

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