I've met a number of folks in my life that seem to have an IV drip of dill pickle juice in their veins. They lack simple joy and a bit of light heartedness in their life. They often come off as too serious or too stiff and they truly seem to miss the goodness of life.

I have an amazing friend whom also writes in these articles, Pastor Randy Berg. If ever I need joy I can spend about 5 minutes with him and be catapulted to laughter and lighthearted joy. He is full of faith and full of some amazingly humorous stories. I need people like Pastor Randy in my life and so do you.

Today I want to help you find something to be joyful about. First, if you have nothing to live for, then turn to God and have everything to live for, like eternal life in Heaven. If you find few things to be thankful for, then find out where God is being talked about and see that He is the very source of this thing we call, good news. When I found out that I could be completely and utterly forgiven for every stupid and cruel thing I have ever said or done, I was eager to seek its source. When I found out that life wasn't my fault and I'm not a victim in this world, I was set free. When I learned that I could hook my wagon to God's wagon and simply enjoy an amazing ride I was all in.

Psalm 28:7 (NIV) 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.

Life is not simple, but every time I read my bible I find another promise God made to His people (including me) if they would follow His life plan. It is a no brainer as to how to find joy in this dill pickle world when you open the pages of God's word and read some very simple yet profound truths. I start most of my days with a smile on my face and a bounce in my step. Depression is an enemy of our joy and God has the antidote found in Christ. May you truly take the courage to ask God to rescue you from the sour taste of life and enter into His amazing grace where you will find the joy of the lord.

Isaiah 61:3 (NIV) and provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

Written by Pastor Paris Pasch of The Journey Church in Hastings