Fullness of Joy
Re-Joice=be joyful always, be joyful over and over, again and again. Find Delight in EVERYTHING!
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIVUK
Finding joy in all circumstances sounds reasonable, doesn’t it? Easy peasy when life is going well. What happens when we are dodging fiery arrows, dealing with trauma, or having dirt thrown at us? Where do we find joy, then? The Bible says to find joy ALWAYS, in ALL situations—not just when life is good or we feel like it. This joy is God's will for us all. So how do we live full of joy when we are facing difficult circumstances?
We have to choose not to let anything steal our joy. Is it going to be easy? Probably not. Worth it? Definitely. The joy of God is something we choose to put on. It’s not a feeling or an emotion; joy is the certainty that God is in control. The joy of the Lord is your strength. Use that God given strength to practice taking control over your emotions! When it comes to leading a life filled with joy, becoming more aware of your internal reactions to external situations is a game changer. The more self-aware you are the stronger you become, the stronger you become the easier it is to make changes in your responses. Instead of reacting in sadness, misery, fear, or anguish you get to choose JOY!
You make the path of life known to me. Complete joy is in your presence. Pleasures are by your side forever. Psalm 16:11
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
Why should we act like James when things go wrong and consider it pure joy? We know who our God is and have faith that he is battling alongside us, working behind the scenes to rescue us from our mess, our suffering, our sickness, and our destruction. As a result, we can stand strong in our faith, secure that God will never leave us or forsake us. He is with us always.
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV)
Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. (Joshua 1:6 NIV)
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).
We can have confidence in Him; if he said he would see you through it, he will. Trust in him. Abide in him. Allow him time to work through your circumstances. You are being refined in the process. You are learning something important. a tool you can use to help someone else through a similar situation. Don’t despise the process; embrace it. Count it joy because he sees you and is going to use you and the mess you are in right now for his glory and your redemption.
Whatever you are facing today, chose to; ‘REJOICE ALWAYS’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV).
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 NIVUK
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:12
The word rejoice appears more than 60 times in the Bible. God honours our ability to find joy in both easy and difficult times. While there is no way to avoid the sorrow, pain, loss, or other traumas of life, knowing they will come and adopting the attitude that none of this will steal my joy will help you get through them. More importantly, building your life on the solid foundation God offers, certain that he is in control, will help you navigate these times and allow you to keep your joy.
God only in you will we find our fullness of joy. May we seek your presence always, to choose to let you be the source of our Peace, Strength and Hope. Amen