Recently, life has really seemed to creep up on me. I've had very minimal sleep due to a teething baby, end of year financial stress with holidays has creeped in, and my son seems to spit up everything he eats, causing "new mom freak out" mode to hit me. I am a very relaxed person when it comes to most things. I get stressed, but I can usually shrug it off and move on with my life in a reasonable amount of time. Lately, though, I feel that everything has hit me all at once. I like to blame post pregnancy hormones most of the time, but the very real struggles of adulting have been becoming more and more prominent lately.

I know that I am not the only adult that has ever experienced hardship, anxiety, stress, hormonal surges, and any other obstacle life can throw at you. So how do we, as hardworking, everyday people, successfully protect ourselves from the thick, seemingly endless fog of depression that accompanies the raw struggle that is life? The answer is simple.

Joy.

This short, 3 lettered word packs a bigger punch than Popeye on steroids. Joy can be so complex and even unattainable at times. So how can we find the joy in our lives amongst the angst? From a personal standpoint, my joy comes from the Lord. My joy is everlasting and complete. My joy is bigger than any problem in front of me. My joy comes from knowing that this life is not my last life. My joy is in knowing that I am truly loved by someone so much greater than myself and this world. This type of joy I could never dream to attain on my own. Not in this nasty, fallen, hardship filled world. Without Christ, the troubles of this world would win over me every single time, simply because I was not born equipped with something stronger than myself to overcome the world.

Knowing that my joy is complete and always attainable, I find contentment in seemingly small things. The coffee that I get to enjoy every morning is one of my most treasured gifts. My husband, who is so excited to be not only my husband, but a great father to our son and future kids. My family that loves me. The meal that keeps me from going to bed hungry every night. The list is, and should be, endless. I am given more than I could ever deserve.

Whatever might be troubling you and yours does not have to take the wheel and steer your life in a negative direction. Even if you don't personally believe that Christ is your Savior and source of everlasting joy, you can still find love and contentment in the little things. I have found that I am happier when I have less because I recognize that what little I have is priceless. I enjoy having things in abundance as well, but I would rather have nothing and know complete joy, than have everything and never be satisfied.

Go find your joy.

With the most sincere and genuine heart,

Winter