WANT JOY? CHOOSE IT!

Joy is what God wants for you.

Joy is what God offers you. 

Joy strengthens you emotionally and spiritually.

Do you sometimes think of God as a Killjoy?  Someone who looks down from heaven when you’re having a good time and says, “Cut it out. Don’t you know life is meant to be serious?” Or do you have a secret dread that God will zap you for some failure and take away what brings you joy?

Many Christians have these distorted ideas—DO YOU?

If you do, these lies are robbing you of the spiritually and emotionally abundant life that Jesus came to give (John 10:10).The Bible is full of references to joy, delight, rejoicing and celebrating because:  

• God created joy. He looked at all He created and said it was good. When I make something, even a new dish, and it tastes good and looks like it’s supposed to, I’m filled with joy (probably because I was surprised at how it turned out!), but imagine God’s joy when he saw such incredible beauty unfolding before Him. Joy is an attribute of God, and one He blesses us with—if we choose it.

• Jesus was full of joy. He spoke of His joy and wanted it to be in His disciples—that’s you and me (John 15:11). Even though His circumstances did not produce happiness (He was heading to Jerusalem and the crucifixion), nevertheless, He had joy.

• The Holy Spirit gives joy. Joy is a fruit of being filled with God. It’s an outcome of faith whether circumstances are happy or not (Galatians 5:22). In God’s design, joy also results in hormones being released that enable us to thrive physically and emotionally.

• Scripture commands us to Rejoice. (And God doesn’t give commands without giving the power to do it.) If we rejoice only when we’re happy, we’re ignoring a source of strength from God to overcome and persevere when life is tough. The joy of the Lord IS your strength, (Nehemiah 8:10). Rejoicing in the Lord is possible because its focus is on who God is, and who you are to God—not on your circumstances.

Kay and Rick Warren’s son committed suicide after years of battling mental illness. They did all they could to help him and experienced depths of grief and loss. Perhaps you identify.

• In her book, Choose Joy—Because Happiness Isn’t Enough, Kay Warren, wife of Pastor Rick Warren, writes about her own struggle to live with joy. Here is her definition:

Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.

Happiness is a wonderful part of life. God wants you to celebrate everything that makes you happy. Dance (I do, around the kitchen clapping my hands, singing and praising aloud—you should see me), share with others, have a party. Celebrations are His idea.But remember, when happiness has gone for a time, you have a never-ending source of joy—the loving presence, strength, and comfort of God who is for you and will take you through whatever life brings.Annie Johnson Flint writes:

Jesus Christ is not my security against the storms of life, but He is my perfect security in the storms. He has never promised me an easy passage, only a safe landing.

Wishing you joy unspeakable that only comes from God Himself. If you want to share something, or invite me to come speak about the living God we serve, get in touch!PoppyPhoto credit: DollarPhoto Club