Choose Joy
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the older you get, the more challenging life becomes. For my husband and me, there are no more vacations to New England; we’re kept close to home by his dialysis schedule. No more hiking nature trails. I’ve wept at far too many funerals.
I want to bear the fruit of the Spirit, but at this age, joy sometimes hides behind the couch. In the book of Philippians there are 16 references to joy or rejoicing. Here’s how I find that elusive joy–no matter what. After all, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:3-5, NIV)
Participation: Paul finds joy in hearing that the Philippians are sharing the Gospel. When we work together we feel joy as we get to know one another–our strengths and weaknesses, our hopes and hurts. Giving, praying, working in the kitchen, teaching small groups – all offer joyful satisfaction. The opportunities to participate in congregational life are endless and open to us, no matter our ages or stages of life. Now that I can’t handle the responsibility of teaching, I contribute to class discussions.
“Rejoice in the Lord always!” (Philippians 4:4, NIV)
Position: Regardless of my success or failure in life, I rejoice in my position in Christ. On my own I am not good enough to enter heaven. I am far, far from perfect. As much as I never want to say a cross word or think a bad thought, I do! The Holy Spirit pokes me when that happens, but it happens. However, because Jesus has taken the punishment I deserve, I will someday enter heaven.
“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me.” (Philippians 4:10, NIV)
Provision: Through the people of Philippi, God provided for Paul, and He has provided for me throughout my entire life. From financial support to emotional support during life’s tearful moments, God has supported me through friends and family and through His Word. And although I may wonder how it will happen, I know He will provide for me until He takes me home to heaven. That gives me joy.
Joy differs from happiness. Experiences make us happy, and joy may be the feeling of happiness. However, joy goes deeper than circumstances. Joyful peace resides in our hearts even when we’re not “happy,” such as times when we’re waiting for a doctor in an emergency room.
Question for Reflection:
- How joyful are you today? Read the book of Philippians to draw encouragement from Paul. Then praise God. As the praise goes up, God’s joy comes down.
- Prepare yourself to remain faithful and joyful through suffering by memorizing a Bible passage such as Philippians 4:6-8.
- Write out a prayer to remind yourself of God’s goodness and faithfulness, and pray that prayer when you feel unhappy or joyless.
- Remind yourself of how God has been faithful and even brought joy out of something that caused unhappiness at the moment.
