Day 4: On Your Journey to Joy, Take Courage

…and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear. Philippians 1:14 NRSV

 Retreat to your quiet place and prepare your heart and mind to allow Scripture to speak to you as you continue on your journey to joy today.

Start with Scripture. Today, read Philippians 1:12–18a from your favorite translation of the Bible or from the epigraph printed at the top of the chapter, page 21.

Courage, the title of today’s meditation, is implicit. What key word or phrase would you choose? What do you need today: confidence, fearlessness, boldness? What about good will and love?

Read Chapter 4 of Reclaiming Joy. Ella asks the question, Courage without fear? What are your fears? How can you keep your mind from lingering on those fears?

Read Ella’s family story on pages 21–24. Who lived longest in your family? Any role models? Whom do you most admire? What are their strengths and character traits that you admire most?

Ella’s attorney advised her to be prepared to live to 100 or to die tomorrow. What steps do you need to take to maintain a good quality of life in old age? Are your relationships and your personal affairs in good enough order if you were to die tomorrow?

How do you balance the tasks that must be done and those activities that bring you pleasure?

These meditations are titled A Journey… and Ella frequently refers to climbing a mountain of grief with boulders blocking the way. What mountain are you struggling to climb? What are the boulders that hinder you?

On pages 25, 26 Ella quotes David Brooks, who describes the joy that comes from leading a purposeful life. Do you agree with his description of joy? Where do you find purpose and fulfillment?

What requires special courage? What small acts of courage to you need to take today?

What lesson have you learned today?

What three things are you thankful for today? What moments of joy have you experienced in the last 24 hours? Take time to say, Thank you, God, for…

For an introduction to these 28 meditations leading to Easter, please read The Journey to Easter Joy: Daily Meditations, Letting Scripture Speak

© Ella Wall Prichard, 2019