Joyful Living Through Christ

"As a third-century man was anticipating death, he penned these last words to a friend: "It's a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people are the Christians--and I am one of them." Today In The Word, June, 1988, p. 18.

There are an awful lot of us who believe that happiness is based on perfect circumstances. In other words, if everything is perfect, I will be happy. Maybe there's some truth in that. After all, we like to find ourselves in good situations and circumstances, right? Who doesn't? But, having joy shouldn't be based only on perfect circumstances. You see, happiness is external; joy is internal.

Here's what I'm talking about. In the Book of Philippians, the apostle Paul talks a lot about joy. For four years his life was what we would call a living hell. His circumstances were far from being perfect, for sure. He spent two years imprisoned in Caesarea on false charges. He was put on a ship bound for Rome, not to be set free, but to appear in front of Nero who didn't particularly like Christians.

While on the way there he was shipwrecked on an island, and bitten by a poisonous snake while spending the winter there. He then sets out for Rome again, spending another 2 years in prison there, waiting to be put to death. Did I mention that during this time he was chained to a guard for 24 hours a day, having no privacy whatsoever. And, having a new guard watching over him every four hours!

How in the world is Paul able to show joy? How does he manage to remain positive in prison? How does he overcome his troubles? How does he find joy in his difficulties? How does he stay so happy, positive, and joyful even though the bottom has fallen out of his life? Despite being in some pretty rough circumstances (to say the least), he still managed to talk about joy.

You and I know that we all have problems, too. That's a fact. Some are big, some are little. But they're still problems just the same. However, the way you look at that problem is much more important than the problem itself. Your perspective about the problem makes a difference.

Your view of your problems, your understanding of your problems, your focus of your problem can make all the difference in the world. That's one thing that Paul did. Another thing he did was even more important. He depended on God's power to live on. Life can drain you completely. One crisis after another will deplete your energy, resulting in loss of both energy and power over time.

How did Paul refresh his power? Look at Philippians 1:19. Paul says: "I have two things that give me strength and keep me going." The prayers of other people; and God's supply through His Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Jesus Christ). Prayers are powerful. Jesus said that we need to pray for strength (Luke 21:36). God also wants to give you power to live by. He wants you to live a life full of joy. We need God’s power in our lives (Ephesians 6:10).

Dear friends, God is big enough to take terrible circumstances and turn them around. He's big enough to turn them inside out. flip them over, shake them up,  and make a bad situation good! If He can do it with the cross of Calvary, He's big enough to do it in your life too!

Scripture: Romans 12:12; James 1:2; Philippians 4:4; Galatians 5:22; John 16:22

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know that true joy in life does not come from others, or is found in things. True joy only comes from knowing You. True joy comes from hearing your song in my heart, and feeling Your presence throughout my day. Amen

God bless you,

Jadyn