(A Biblical Perspective by Al Thomas)
GOD WOULD NOT COMMAND US TO BE CONTENT, REJOICE ALWAYS, GIVE THANKS
IN everything and let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts if
doing so were impossible. The Westminster Cannon says, “Man
was created to love God and enjoy Him forever.” Forever
starts the moment you accept Christ. Walking in the joy
of Jesus has nothing to do with your personality type or giftings,
but rather the promise of a God who cannot lie (Heb. 6:18).
Has the devil stolen your joy (1 Peter 5:8)? If you are
joyless…you need to take back what is yours:
OBVIOUS INDICATORS THAT YOU'VE LOST YOUR JOY:
1. FOCUS IS WRONG
Satan’s goal is to get you to lose your focus
on Jesus and put your eyes on your circumstance. Circumstances
can be quite deceiving. Yeah, the dough may be pouring in
or you could have a shiny beamer in the driveway…but still
the joy is still elusive. Also, focusing on other peoples
business (out of your sphere of influence) is also a trap for
joyless living. Jesus said to a much too nosey Peter, “What
is that to thee…follow Me” twice (John 21:22-23).
Stay out of others peoples affairs (Prov. 16:28). Its futile ground
for gossip (1 Tim. 5:13) and proves little is going on in your
own life.
2. DRY AND EMPTY
If you're spiritually pooped don't blame your Pastor or your church.
Unhappy at your church? Sure, you can pray about moving
on (sometimes God does want us to change places) but more often
joy is illusive because it’s a STMP (Spiritual Time Management
Problem.) No one can rob you of your joy except you.
Yes, it is your joy…Jesus gave it to you (John 15:11).
But, when you rarely study your Bible and only have fleeting (private)
times of interaction with Jesus you can expect to feel discouraged
and lonely (even if you’re in a crowd). Joy is a spiritual
fruit (Gal. 5:22) and will not manifest in a dry and barren soul.
Being dry causes you to be brittle and you will eventually break.
Are you rooted in Christ and watering the roots?
3. SPIRITUAL CURMUDGEON
You know what a curmudgeon is = “A cantankerous fellow…often
irritable and impatient.” This is the opposite of
joyful. More times then not, this person quickly judges
others (without knowing all the facts) and falls to the temptation
to see the negative instead of the good. We can all fall
into this trap, but the curmudgeon, forgetting what manner of
man he was (James 1:23-24) no longer bridles his tongue or (judgmental
mind). So he has lost his joy (v 25). By an act of
our will we must ask God to change our attitude. Let this mind
be in you that was in Christ (Phil. 2:5).
HOW TO RECAPTURE THE JOY:
1. KNOW THAT YOU
ARE GREATLY LOVED The major ‘truth’ that keeps me
pressing on (and keeps my joy burning) is the revelation
in my heart that I am deeply, immeasurably loved. Friend, God
has ‘bestowed’ love upon us (1 John 3:1). His
love has been ‘lavished’ on us. Study
the bible to discover how much God loves you. In spite of
your inconsistencies, your faults, your stubbornness and any other
wall you may try to put up…His love will (must) break through
to your heart. Joy follows. You’re not just accepted, but
loved with a love that will never end (and increase throughout
eternity). Noth-ing will separate me/you from this love.
Read Rom. 8:35-39. In my bible, I have crossed out the word
‘us’ in vs. 31-39 and replaced it with my name.
Try it and then read and re-read until it pierces your heart.
When it becomes a revelation you will leap for joy!
2. CONFESS THAT
YOU’VE GONE ASTRAY God didn’t get you
off course, so don’t blame Him. Don’t blame
anyone else either. Seems everybody has a ‘Somebody
Done Me Wrong‘ song today. If you are a victim, start
praying for the person who harmed you and ask for God’s
love for that person. I know it’s easier said than
done, but its God’s way and it does work (Matt. 5:44; Luke
6:28; Rom. 12:14; 1 Cor. 4:12). Or, maybe somewhere down the line
you got off course and the enemy tripped you up. Either
way, refuse to dwell on past failures or pains. Instead do business
with your Father and clear the channel. Hit the tracking
button (Phil. 4:8) until things start to clear up. Humble
yourself. ‘The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:
a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise’
(Ps. 51:17). Once you’ve confessed, start rejoicing
by faith no matter how you feel.
3. BE OBEDIENT
How? Lay your life down (Matt. 10:39). By laying your
life down, you also lay your burden down (Matt. 11:28-30). Stop
thinking about yourself. People who dwell on themselves
are miserable. For-give others quickly, reminding yourself
how Christ has forgiven you (Eph. 4:32). Dwell on Jesus
(Col. 1:14-18; 3:17). Seek no rewards on this earth.
Make it a quest to bless others, especially the down and out.
For the obedient it is easy to rejoice by faith (Phil. 4:4) and
this joy soon becomes a habit. It’s not complicated.
The process is repentance, forgiveness, faith and obedience…this
is called salvation. Listen to Isaiah. 12:2-3 ‘Behold,
God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the
LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my
salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells
of salvation.’ We have the right to draw out
the joy. But, anything that hinders the purifying work of
the Holy Spirit in your life will hinder access into deeper joy.
Moral obedience is a no-brainer for joy. Paul had overwhelming
obstacles, but told himself, ‘None of these things move
me, nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish
my race with joy...’ (Acts 20:24). Likewise,
you must determine within yourself that nothing will keep you
from obtaining the gift of joy. Saint, why do you think
Jude wrote in v. 24, “Now unto him that is able to keep
you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence
of his glory with exceeding joy...” unless it
were possible for us to experience this ‘joy unspeakable
and full of glory ‘ (1 Peter 1:8) now? Read the first
part of the latter verse ’Whom we have not seen, ye love;
in whom, though ye see him not, yet believing…’
“I know you believe, now determine to receive. Joy
is a good thing and a God thing.”
