I enjoy choosing a word for the year. It helps to bring clarity and focus to what we want to become or create more of in our lives. Last year, I chose wisdom and really leaned into the process of asking God for divine wisdom in my daily life. I prayed, fasted and read the Bible like I’ve never done before. This process helped to give me a lot of confidence and calm in a big decision surrounding the birth of my second son. It’s really profound to fully embrace and walk out your word in your life.

I took a week in December to think about my word for 2022. Governed by the question, “What do you want to create more of in your life?” The answer was undoubtedly “joy.” Joy. The global pandemic has taken its toll on many of us. Most of what we read or hear in the news create fear and anxiety and rob us of our joy. I found myself wondering if it was ok to feel joy in the face of such sorrow.

As a woman of faith, I know that joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Joy comes from within regardless of outside circumstances. The good book reminds us to “count it all joy…” James 1:2 and that the “joy of the Lord is our strength.” Nehemiah 8:10. I knew and know that I needed to bare more joyful fruit.

I have come up with a plan on how to create more joy in my life this year:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of joy in my life;

2. Laugh more;

3. Engage in creative endeavors that bring me joy;

4. Be present in the feelings of joy;

5. Do work that fulfills me;

6. Create an atmosphere of joy in our home; and

7. Press into God’s purposes and plans for my life.

The Bible verse that will anchor me to my word this year, is “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” Nehemiah 8:10. Every month I will capture a photo of me and/or my family in a moment of joy and share it on my blog and social media, make sure you’re following me on Instagram.

Did you choose a word for 2022?