Joy is a Choice

Photo by Sherry Childers

As believers in Christ, living in a fallen world it is easy to see and experience the negativity and discontentment that is brought on by a world filled with the love of flesh and all that it entails.  I say this because Sherry and I just got back from a trip to Florida.  What is interesting, is out of all our trips, this was one of the most eye opening to the apparent despair in this world. 

I would like to say it was just one or two individuals here or there, but the entirety of the trip was filled with either interactions or observations of others that had little to no happiness or joy.  When traveling, one thing I enjoy is watching and observing people.  Their mannerisms, the way they interact with others, how they handle the stress of traveling, it all fascinates me.  Not only do I watch how they interact with others or just discern their demeanor, but through the love of Christ in my heart the LORD allows me to see beyond the flesh and discern their countenance.  This was the part I found troubling.  So many people walked aimlessly or appeared exhausted and without joy.  All of this was trumped by the number of people on their phones, computers or Ipads.  I found the lack of social engagement through an intentional focus upon social media playing right into the manipulative ploy’s of the evil one. 

Scripture outlines several Bible verses that outline the detrimental impacts of believers living in the isolation.  The first is from the very creation of mankind, Genesis 2:18 in the Amplified states, “Now the LORD God said, “It is not good (beneficial) for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper [one who balances him-a counterpart who is] suitable and complementary for him.”  The next was written by King Solomon years later, however I find it relevant to today’s culture of isolation through technology.  King Solomon wrote this verse in the Amplified Bible book of Ecclesiastes chapter 4, verse 9-10.  It states, “Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor; for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls does not have another to lift him up.”  Two verses from the Old Testament outlining the perils of isolation and the negative consequences of not having others to support and lift you up when needed. 

Life alone creates opportunities for rejection, fear or feelings of separation that may encroach upon a person’s ability to receive happiness or live in joy.  One last element from the Book of Ecclesiastes comes from the name of Chapter 4 within the Amplified, “The Evils of Oppression”.  When talking about isolation and separation, the name of this chapter refers to oppression.  Through isolation, the influences of this world take opportunity to create an oppressive atmosphere around those that are not walking in the joy of Jesus Christ.  That is the basis for today’s blog, Matthew 5:15, “…a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.”  As believers we have been called to be the difference, not based on how we are treated but instead based on how we are loved unconditionally by God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

This is where we define the difference between happiness and joy and see the influence and impact of both.  The root of happiness comes from the Hebrew word, Simcha which is defined through a passive reaction to an external circumstance creating an emotion of gladness or festivity.  Happiness, not always, but in the majority of time is based upon your circumstances and is influenced by your environment.  King Solomon best exemplifies this external fleeting feeling of pleasure in Ecclesiastes (NLT) 2:3, “After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine.”  King Solomon sought cheer through wine, which we all know can lead to other concerns and is not a lasting sense of happiness. 

The second part of happiness is a believer's seeking of approval from God through the alignment of their hearts with His will for their lives.  Again, this is all based on our efforts, our abilities and our perspective of when enough is enough.  Proverbs 3:13 in the King James Bible tells us, “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”  Again, based upon our efforts, our seeking and our desire to understand.  Happiness can be fleeting and temporary, it is real but not sustainable for the long term. 

What is consistent and sustainable is God’s joy that resides within our hearts.  Joy is derived from the Greek word Chara.  Chara is the spiritual state of contentment and peace based not upon earthly circumstances, but instead upon the unshakeable truth of scripture.  Chara or the English translation joy is rooted in the knowledge of God’s Grace, forgiveness and hope of eternal salvation.  Jeremiah outlines the depth of this meaning in verse 9:23-24 (ESV), “Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.”  Joy is contentment based upon our acceptance of God’s love with an outward expression shared through the spiritual gifts given through Holy Spirit residing within our very beings.  Galatians 5:22 (ESV) tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” 

The second part of this verse is what I want to magnify, “against such things there is no law.”  When you live in the peace and contentment that comes from your acceptance and transformation within Jesus Christ, this world has no influence over how you walk out your life.  The circumstances, individuals or moments in life that disrupt and even destroy people, either believers or non-believers, living in happiness as it relates to their environments will never bring full glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is when you live past the outward circumstance and live in full revelation and knowledge of your place in the Kingdom that you walk out your choice to live in the liberty of scripture and power and anointing of God’s love.  That is the basis for an unwavering joy, the light you were called to bring!

We can see an example of joy in 1 Samuel 30.  Within this chapter, David and his men lost their families to the Amalekites.  The Amalekites had invaded Ziklag, burned it to the ground and taken everyone in Ziklag as captives.  What I find interesting, David’s men who had followed him through thick and thin, now turned on him and were wanting to stone him.  This caused great distress upon David and in this moment, you can see David’s true heart.  Rather than turn to a political rally or great commander’s speech, David sought the LORD.  The LORD that lifted him up and encouraged him in times of sadness, sorrow and grief, but also the same LORD that had been with him and celebrated in times of victory and achievement.  David’s heart can be seen in 1 Samuel 30:6, “…but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”  In a moment of loss, grief and isolation, rather than stand in his own might, David sought His LORD and in return all the items taken and family members made captive were returned. 

Ephesians 5:8 (NKJV) states, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light…”.  As believers, we are called to be the difference, to bring the light and be the source of revelation for the Good News, the Good News of Jesus Christ.  If we are driven and motivated by what is external and the moments and circumstances around us, we can never expect to be a constant source of light and revelation.  In James it states that he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  If you are living by what you feel, or what emotion has arisen within you, then you are living a life tossed to and fro without stability or direction.  However, if you are grounded in scripture and have a knowledge of Jesus Christ and hope in your eternal life through acceptance of Him, then His joy, His light shines through you continually bringing light to the darkness and hope to the lost. 

My prayer is that you are grounded in God’s Word and in that Word you find the Peace and contentment of Christ and His love.  May your hearts continually be filled with joy and Christ’s light through you never grow dim!  Shalom!!