“I used to think joy was something I’d feel only on special days or when everything went right. But as I started chewing on God’s love in the middle of my routine, I discovered joy showing up in the most unexpected places.”
Why Joy Feels Elusive (and Why It Doesn’t Have to Be)
For many of us, joy can seem like a rare guest—something that visits on holidays, vacations, or when life finally slows down. But what if joy could become a regular part of your everyday life, even in the middle of laundry, emails, traffic, or a long to-do list?
God’s love isn’t reserved for mountaintop moments. He delights to meet us in the ordinary, and the CHEW on This™ framework is your invitation to experience joy right where you are.
The Secret to Everyday Joy
Joy isn’t about ignoring pain or pretending life is easy. It’s about letting God’s delight in you become the soundtrack of your day. When you chew on His love, you start to notice beauty, laughter, and hope breaking through—even on the most “normal” days.
How to CHEW for Joy in the Everyday
1. Confess—Be Real About Where You’re Missing Joy
- “God, I feel numb, bored, or weighed down by routine.”
- “I want to see Your goodness, but I’m distracted or discouraged.”
- Brief Prayer: “Lord, awaken my heart to Your joy—even in the small things.”
2. Hear—Let God’s Word Speak Joy Over Your Day
- “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11)
- “The Lord your God is with you… he will take great delight in you; he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
- Brief Prayer: “Holy Spirit, open my eyes to see Your joy and delight today.”
3. Exchange—Chew on a Joy-Filled Question
- “If I really believed God delights in me right now, how would that change the way I experience this ordinary moment?”
- “If I really believed joy is found in God’s presence, how would that change my attitude at work, at home, or in traffic?”
- “If I really believed God is singing over me, how would that change the way I approach this day?”
- Brief Prayer: “Jesus, help me receive Your joy and let it overflow, even in my routine.”
4. Walk—Let Joy Move You to Action
- Pause and savor a moment of beauty, laughter, or gratitude.
- Share a smile, a kind word, or a small act of service with someone nearby.
- Thank God for three ordinary things that bring you joy today.
- Text a friend: “Where did you see God’s joy today?”
- Brief Prayer: “Father, help me notice and share Your joy wherever I go.”
Mini Story
“Yesterday, I was folding laundry—again—and feeling frustrated by the monotony. I paused, chewed on the truth that God delights in me even in the mundane, and whispered, ‘If I really believed You’re with me here, how would that change this moment?’ Suddenly, I noticed the sunlight streaming through the window, the softness of the clothes, and a quiet peace in my heart. Joy found me in the ordinary.”
One-Day Focus: Joy in the Ordinary (Day 2 of the 7-Day CHEW Challenge)
Today, make it your goal to chew on God’s love specifically for joy in the ordinary.
Pause at least three times to walk through the CHEW steps, especially in your most routine moments (laundry, traffic, errands, etc.).
Write down or share one moment of unexpected joy you noticed today.
Invite a friend or family member to join you, and swap stories at the end of the day.
Ready for more?
Don’t stop here— visit our next blog in the series: “Overcoming Anxiety and Stress with God’s Presence.” You can revisit our previous blog here.
Discover how CHEW on This™ can bring peace, not just joy, into the heart of your daily life.
Transparency Note: This series is crafted in collaboration with advanced AI tools and thoughtfully finalized by the 1st Principle Group staff to ensure biblical faithfulness and practical relevance for our readers.
