Joy Again

Well here is the update on being ‘joyful’ when life is full of tough situations. I don’t want to be glib or trite, I have spent too much of my exciting Christian life ‘talking the talk but not walking the walk’. 

‘Consider it sheer JOY, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way’. James 1:2-4 MSG

We sing such beautiful worship songs saying things like ‘You are all I need’ but when He is all we have, can we really say that?

Gone are the days of a comfortable 'Christian' life, church on Sunday and maybe a 'social' life group during the week. We are stepping into a time of real hatred against Christians, losing jobs, property, and freedom. So what did our wonderful Saviour do for us, He gave up the freedom of Heaven for 33 years because He loves us so much and longs to spend forever with us. Are we willing to get out of our 'comfort zone' to go next door or out on the street? 

In all our circumstances Jesus knows that our situation will work out for our good and His plan. He is good all the time (Romans 8:28) so He used joy as a powerful spiritual force to see Him through to victory. Psalm 16:11. We have to choose to look away from all that would distract us and turn to Jesus, Hebrews 12:2. Because of the joy awaiting Him, and all of us who believe in Him, He endured the Cross, disregarding its shame. Then we can choose joy in every circumstance! Then we can be strong in Him, His joy is our strength, Nehemiah 8:10.

How?

“.. continue in His Love with Me ........ I have told you this so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes your cup of joy will overflow.” John 15:9-11. Constantly receive His LOVE

Joy comes from walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, with believing. Romans 15:13.

Joy comes from being consistent in our relationship with Jesus Christ, Who is the source of all joy. Hebrews 12:2; John 15:11.

Joy comes when we constantly remind ourselves of His amazing love for us as proved at the Cross, giving us salvation. Isaiah 12:3; Ephesians 3:14-21; 1 Peter 1:8.

Joy comes when we OBEY the command to 'rejoice in all circumstances'. It is irrelevant of our feelings which will change as we thank God and worship Him for our salvation and the joy that comes with it. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18; John 16:20-22.

Joy comes by faith, just like love, when we act in obedience, the feelings follow. Habakkuk 3:17-19.  

Joy comes even if our circumstances are exceptionally difficult, e.g. Paul was in chains in prison when he wrote to the Philippians. Philippians 1:12-14; 1 Peter 4:12-13. When he chose to praise God.

Joy comes by entering into celebrations that honour God and not ourselves, strengthening us with His joy. Paul and Silas praised in prison, God caused an earthquake, so all their shackles were unfastened. Freedom was for all, so as we rejoice we set others free. Acts 16:23-34; Psalm 126:1-3. 

Joy comes by living in harmony. Philippians 2:1-5.

Joy comes by speaking the Word with our mouths, in faith not feelings, knowing God is working every circumstance for our good, Romans 8:28; Proverbs 15:23; Jeremiah 15:16.

Jesus is the fantastic example of the power of joy. “Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” Hebrews 12:3. He could walk in such joy because He had a heart overflowing with love for all people and NO selfish ambition, John 17:13. In the Old Testament there are so many warnings that come to God’s children when they moan and groan, with dire consequences, Numbers 11; Job 36:21. 

But we have so many modern ways to help us overcome grief and self-pity. I have used ‘Spotify’ daily to get the best worship music to focus my heart on Jesus. There is always ‘phone a friend’, and so many wonderful prayer lines, for example www.ucb.co.uk or www.cfan.org.uk.

I have to say I know that living a tough life Jesus’ way really works, and I have had many wonderful days since our daughter left focusing on Him, but not everyday. We shared a birthday party in Brisbane via FaceTime and today we have had a conducted tour of their new home and watched the excitement as they unpacked their precious belongings from the container via FaceTime!

And wonderful rejoicing when Ayesha had more tests and the mass had disappeared, the doctors don’t understand but we do - ‘God is good all the time’!

How can our hearts have the endurance Jesus had? By focusing where Jesus focused: on “the joy that God put before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). He lifted His eyes beyond the horizon and saw the table. He focused on the feast. And what He saw gave Him strength to finish — and finish strong. Joy comes from knowing this world is only temporary and that someday we will be with God forever. It comes from the fact that, although we do not yet see God, we “believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8). It comes from a life of submission to the Holy Spirit - regardless of circumstances.