We are hardwired to sense danger. It’s true.

Thousands of years of learning to run from sabre tooth tigers, and we are preconditioned to be sensitive to negative stimuli.

No wonder why it’s so difficult for us to naturally seek joy!

This Lent, one of my spiritual practices has been to intentionally look for joy throughout each day. Especially during times of stress or when negative thoughts start to arise.

So come with me on one random joy-seeking day. May it inspire you to seek out joy in places you wouldn’t have normally looked!

7 a.m. — Met with a clergy colleague for our weekly breakfast where we talked about our Lenten teaching series we’re doing together, about our wives and kids, and about his beloved VW bus! Delightful!

9 a.m. — Went to the emergency shelter our agency operates to unclog two toilets. After the second, which was a particularly gritty endeavor — I’ll spare you the details — two of our staff members came in to finish the clean up. “You’ve done your part, Pastor D. Let us take it from here.” … Thank you Holy Spirit for a thoughtful staff!

11 a.m. — Partner meeting with the providers who serve residents in our apartment buildings. So heartwarming to watch dedicated professionals work to support keeping vulnerable people in housing. Thank you, God, for caring colleagues!

1 p.m. — Dropped off a pie as a thank you for the guy at the local recycling center who let me drop off an entire pickup load of items from the shelter at no cost last week. His reaction was priceless. Those folks aren’t appreciated enough!

5 p.m. — Attended a party at our family apartment building that was hosted by a collection of young professionals and service groups. Nacho plates, movie theater popcorn, SpongeBob toys, St. Patty’s Day decorations, and smiles and sparkling eyes as far as one could see. How can you not celebrate the human spirit when you see so many come together to brighten the day for so many deserving families! Come Holy Spirit indeed!

6:45 p.m. — Picked up our dog “Howie” from daycare. This brave little fellow is slowly figuring out the world after the loss of his older fur brother. A four-legged ball of anxiety most of his life, he’s now become an almost companion of my wife, as both figure out what life is like without Gus Gus. Now tell me that angels don’t exist.

Friends … There are plenty of situations every day that tempt us toward worry, anxiety and fear. And it’s inviting isn’t it? After all, we’re genetically inclined to those feelings for survival.

But joy is out there! You just gotta practice seeking it out! … This week, my prayer for you is that you too can begin to look for joy instead of worry. Our world needs it. Amen.

Devlyn Brooks is the CEO of Churches United in Moorhead, Minn., and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America serving Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. He blogs about faith at findingfaithin.com, and can be reached at devlynbrooks@gmail.com.