It doesn’t feel like that should have to be a choice right? Don’t we all want to be joyful? Wouldn’t we all rather be comfortable and joyful if we had the choice? Given the choice wouldn’t we all choose joy over sadness, worry, anxiety, anger or guilt? I think the answer is a resounding YES! But actually doing that is a bit harder. Joy doesn’t come easy for some, much less a lifestyle of joy! So how do we do that?
In the bible study The Book of Phillipians with Jo Saxton she talks about rejoicing as a lifestyle. That started me thinking. I had never really thought about that concept. Joy as a lifestyle. I have studied having joy in my life and how I believe joy is different than happiness. Happiness is an emotion that can come and go. Joy lives deep in your soul and is derived from a relationship with Jesus Christ. But how do we practice Joy as a Lifestyle? I think there are a few key points that we can look at to help us.
Sacrifice is a word that packs a big punch. Choosing the perspective of “my world is bigger than me” can often times be a sacrifice. Right now I think we are all living that out. I may not be the hardest hit or one of the high risk people for corona virus, but I am stilled called to “shelter in.” That is a sacrifice for so many people to not have their jobs, get to see their loved ones, or miss all those activities that had been planned for months! But what we think and do, does matter to God and others. Philippians 2:4 says “Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of other.” That is exactly what we are doing now by sheltering in. When we put others first it gives us joy.
Work is another action it takes to choose joy as a lifestyle. It takes some work to follow the example of other believers. That means we have to take the time and effort to get to know them so that they can mentor us spiritually. In Philippians 4: 8-9 Paul gives us a list of things that we are to have learned and put into practice. My favorite of these is “whatever is lovely.” I want to work at learning what is lovely so that I can share it with you! I think that is why I take so many pictures of my flowers. I think they are so lovely……but they do take a lot of work!
Generosity comes in so many different forms. When you give freely from your heart there are such joyful rewards! Generosity during this times has been seen over and over again. We see health care workers on the front lines with COVID-19 patients. They are giving themselves and their talents generously loving these patients, many of whom their families cannot be with them. Giving more to your prayer time can bring you joy! Becoming more intimate with Christ brings the intimacy which helps you to hear His voice in your life to make the decisions you need in crisis times. In 4:14-19 Paul (the writer of Philippians) tells how thankful he is for the gifts from the church. He says that not only did he appreciate them but wanted them to be blessed as the giver. In these days we should all learn how to be the recipient of gifts with graciousness. Sometimes it’s hard to receive help or gifts. Right now some people feel like all they can do is a kind act for their neighbor or a kind word for a friend and maybe even a gift of toilet paper on your front step! Say thank you and receive the blessing and give them the joy of giving!
Contentment in all circumstances. Learning how to be content is a tall order but the more we strive for contentment the easier it is to practice joy as a lifestyle. In Philippians Paul is writing from a jail cell explaining that he is content in all circumstances. (4:10-14) Learning to be content when we are doing well in our lives can still be hard for some. Do you go to bed at night thinking what a great day you had or do you go to bed after a great day and think of all the things you have to do tomorrow? That’s the thing here……having the ability to slow down and enjoy the moment helps us live joy as a lifestyle. Being content in difficult situations like now is even harder. We learned this the hard way when my husband was diagnosed with leukemia. The first three days of pure devastation were difficult to get through. But then in true fashion for my husband Gary, he says “you kept telling me I was going to die of a car wreck!” We were driving and I said “you still might”! We had a good laugh. It felt almost awkward to feel like we could laugh about our situation. We had joy in the moment but more importantly we had a foundation of Christ’s joy in our hearts. We knew that the promise of God was to give us an abundant life, which we certainly had up to that point, but He didn’t promise how long. Now we live in six month cycles like many other cancer patients. We try to live worthy of God’s calling on our lives with joy and wait until the next checkup.
A lifestyle of joy does not mean there are no hardships. Each of you I’m sure are feeling those in so many ways right now. But it does mean leaning into those loved ones around you and leaning on to Christ. It means that right now more than ever is a time to be brave! Be brave in leading your family towards Christ. Be bold in your acts of love towards others! Be confident in who Christ made you to be, worthy and loved, no matter what the circumstances around you are! A time to not be anxious, but be in prayer and petition with thanksgiving. A time to experience the peace that surpasses all understanding, that will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ.
Choose joy as a lifestyle! Rejoice with others good news! Pray with joy for others. Rejoice that others are praying for you! Have joy in your faith! Love on your family as you ride out our “shelter in” orders. I’m praying health, happiness and joy for you today!
Blessings,
Carrie
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