Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn't Enough

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James 1:2 -4, NLT Dear brothers and sisters,[ when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. Matthieu Ricard, the cellular geneticist turned Buddhist monk, has added three more facets of joy to this list: rejoicing—in someone else’s happiness; delight or enchantment—a shining kind of contentment; and spiritual radiance—a serene joy born from deep well-being and benevolence. He also chooses to focus on eternity. There are several reminders to the Philippians that they are “citizens of heaven.” Although Paul’s current situation is less than ideal, he chooses to look beyond it to see the bigger picture. God is ultimately in charge and his suffering will not last forever. Surely this too is cause for joy. When we focus on God, and when we root ourselves within Him it is there that the source of our joy will fill us. Through and within Him we can make the choice for joy, a joy that does not deteriorate with the storms, but endures from season to season, from sunrise to sunset. When you are joyful, when you say yes to life and have fun and project positivity all around you, you become a sun in the center of every constellation, and people want to be near you.

An example of this would-be King David. In 1 Samuel 21 David is fleeing from an enemy. He left in such a rush that he was unable to grab any weapon to protect himself. When you write down all the blessings you have, prayers God has answered, gifts you have- you start to see how much you need to be thankful to God. My greatest accomplishment, and my greatest pride and joy are my children. They truly are my greatest success. They have inspired me in all aspects of my life. Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10Often in the Bible God would call on His people to recall past victories. This was not to merely reminisce about glory days of old, but to call upon reminders that the same God Who made a way before, will make a way again. They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for. We may not be able to choose our circumstances, but we can choose our attitude and our focus. We can choose, like Paul, to rejoice in the Lord – not necessarily to be joyful about our circumstances, but to find joy in God whatever our circumstances. Joy is a deeply felt contentment that transcends difficult circumstances and derives maximum enjoyment from every good experience looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” ( Hebrews 12:2).

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us that, “This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” It’s wondrous how life brings loads of happy times, right along with lots of not-so-happy. Greater than happy, the Lord gives you joy in knowing that his words are true, his promises are real, and his presence is your strength. It also brings us closer to God, the Creator of all things- we can see how awesome He is for creating everything the way He did.The way that God heals us at the cellular level. I’ll never understand how the miracle of healing is possible. The day after surgery, our son was in pain on the couch downstairs, not wanting to move. We had to stop watching his loopy post-op videos because laughter was too much movement for him. Two days later, he took a shower and joined us in another part of the house, casually playing guitar. I know a miracle when I see one! Isaiah 26:3, ESV You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Don’t wait for things to get easier, simpler, better. Life will always be complicated. Look for small opportunities for happiness in the moment you are in right now. Otherwise, you might run out of time. We can’t often choose our circumstances, but we can better control our reactions and emotions. Choose small moments of joy.” ~ Unknown It was out of the blue, but he was strong and fit, and feeling great, so we weren’t worried. As we drove to the appointment, singing along to the music, I remember thinking, “they won’t find anything.” The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” Romans 5:11

1. Proverbs 10:28

The psalmist sings amid distress for God to fill hearts with joy ( Psalm 4:7). The wisdom of Proverbs 17:22 suggests joy is medicine. Further, Galatians 5:22 reminds us that love is first, but joy is the very next fruit of being Spirit-led. Abiding in God can look different from person to person, and even day to day. Asking the Holy Spirit to guide us each day, or as the Lord’s Prayer calls to ask for our daily bread gives our souls the nourishment we need to not merely exist for the day, but to live the day to its fullest potential. Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. Bible Scriptures about Choosing Happiness – A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine. Let’s Choose to be Happy. Let’s Choose Joy! The best part about receiving joy and becoming courageous is that we are not in it alone. Not only is Christ with us, but we are also with each other. We must build each other up, encourage one another, pray for one another, and bear each other’s burdens, as St. Paul tells us. We do not rely on our strength to choose joy or be solely brave. We rely on the peace of God that transcends all understanding as we receive His joy and become courageous.