As you journey though life and go through different seasons: challenges and victories, etc. don't lose your joy, hope, and zest for your life or your dreams. When the going gets tough, stick with it and encourage yourself to keep pressing on. Avoid time wasters and discouraging people who steal your joy, hope and zest for what you want to achieve. Remember why you are doing what you are doing, why you started and need to finish/follow through. It's not always easy or smooth sailing so you need your joy, hope and zest to keep you from falling or giving up.
What brings you joy when you are feeling down? Stir that up... go to it... do that! What gives you hope when things seem like they are never going to change or get better... or that you won't pull through? Rekindle that hope, go to that place, call that person... do that! What inspires (fuels) your passion that you are filled with so much zest no one can contain? That's what you need to keep close to you and always refer to. Jesus is my joy, hope and what inspires my zest!
As those challenging times come... and they always do... I go to the Word of God and read encouraging verses such as: "And Nehemiah continued, 'Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!'" (Nehemiah 8:10) "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." (Psalm 28:7) "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11) "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." (Romans 12:11) "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13) When you fan the joy, hope and zest within you, nothing can stop you!
When you see things changing, sometimes so slowly, in a subtle way... as if you are losing your grip on things, and things seem to be falling apart... DON'T LOSE your joy, hope and zest! Sometimes it happens so fast and you feel like you have been hit by a ton of bricks (or semi-truck) and you are completely at a loss for words... PAUSE. Stand still. Regroup. Remember and reflect. Focus on what brings you joy, hope and ignites your zest! Today I encourage you to always hold on tight and don't lose your joy, hope and zest to keep going inspite of everything.
PS:
Joy means: "the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires; a state of happiness or felicity: bliss; a source or cause of delight." (Merriam-Webster)
Hope means: "the feeling of wanting something to happen and thinking that it could happen; a feeling that something good will happen or be true; someone or something that may be able to provide help; someone or something that gives you a reason for hoping." (Merriam-Webster)
Zest means: "great enthusiasm and energy."
