It’s no secret that Psalm 47 is a psalm of celebration. Today’s section alone commands the people to “sing praises” five times!

One devotion earlier this week challenged us to take up joy as a spiritual practice. What have you noticed nearly a week later?

If it’s been difficult, you’re not alone. Researcher Brené Brown claims that joy is “the most terrifying, difficult emotion we experience.” That may sound bizarre, but have you ever had a moment when you realized things were going really well, and you felt a twinge of fear? As in, “I’d better brace myself; this kind of thing can’t last!”

Brené Brown calls joy “terrifying” because when we start to experience joy, we often become afraid that we might lose whatever is bringing us joy. We want to protect ourselves from potential sadness by not letting ourselves get too excited.

But today’s psalm rejects that kind of safety, calling on us to celebrate wildly, to lean into joy, to give thanks.

By Caitlin Harper from D365