Teaching the subject of choosing joy in a variety of venues, for many years–conferences, speakers bureaus, Bible studies, work training, etc.–the concept seemed to always resonate with audiences. So, I decided to write about it. My first endeavor was on another blog several years ago, and I decided to write about it again here.
I was thinking about this round of writing and started typing. My words began to hit the screen. Then, it happened. Phone calls came. Circumstances changed. I now state emphatically, for the sake of my heart, mind, and health, I CHOOSE JOY!
The words joy and happiness get used interchangeably in our culture but they are not the same. Happiness comes when we like or approve of our circumstances and situations. Often we go through our days and are overwhelmed by the push and pull of responsibilities, obligations, needs, and demands on ourselves, our time, and our resources. The movement between happy and sad moments of everyday life are circumstantial, and the result is vacillating emotions that can run the gamut from ecstasy to profound sadness. The responsibilities, obligations, needs, and demands diminish, grow, relocate, and make other changes with the day, and our emotions seem to follow in just as fickle a pattern.
Joy, in complete contrast, is not defined by what is happening around us. Joy is not dependent upon circumstance. In fact, our circumstances can be tragic and bring sadness, yet our hearts can still be containers of joy. How can this be?
This is true because joy is the evidence of what is happening inside us. King Solomon said having a joyful heart helps us have a healthy disposition and a joyful heart gives us a joyful countenance. [Proverbs 17:22; 15:13] It is our choice to either keep, maintain, and increase our joy or to allow it to be stolen from us by our circumstances.
Joy revealed on the outside--our disposition, our countenance--is the evidence of what is happening inside us. Click To TweetJesus said it like this, “… you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” [John 16:22]
What Jesus was explaining is that circumstances are fickle, changing from day to day, even moment to moment, and bring many emotions with them. Even when our circumstances are less than desirable, we can rejoice in our hope for better times. We aren’t denying or diminishing the reality of our circumstances when we focus on joy. Instead, we focus on the truth of the joy that dwells within us through the presence of the Holy Spirit, rather than on the changing circumstances. There is hope for joy because joy is the result of a life established, rooted, and grounded in Jesus and empowered by His Holy Spirit.
The apostle Paul admonished us several times to choose joy. In writing to the Romans, he said, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” [Romans 12:12] In this sentence Paul gave us three steps: 1) Remember, our hope is in Christ. 2) Trials will come, so be patient as you endure them. 3) Pray. Constantly have a mind of prayerfulness.
Paul taught us to always make joy our choice when he said, “Rejoice always.” [1 Thessalonians 5:16] He said the same thing to the Philippians and showed how we can rejoice always, when he instructed, “Rejoice in the Lord, aways. I will say it again: Rejoice!” [Phil 4:4] He said to first place your hope in the Lord and that is how you will find joy. The New Living Translation says, “Always be full of joy in the Lord–I say it again, Rejoice!”
Paul also says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” One version says to dwell on these things. Dwell means to live, to take up residence in that place. So if our minds live on truth, honor, righteousness, purity and excellence, then we are feeding ourselves on things that bring joy!
We can live, dwell, and abide with joy in our hearts, regardless of our circumstances.
As believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, we have the greatest hope there is and I CHOOSE JOY!
Yes, I Choose JOY!
