“Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow death to be gloomy all the time.” [Proverbs 17:22. GNB]
“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” [Psalm 16:11. NLT]
As we love and serve God, he wants us to enjoy the journey. He wants us to experience his joy – from the inside out. Joy is so important.
- The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
- Joy is a sign of God’s presence (Psalm 16:11).
- Joy is the essence of life (Ecclesiastes 3:22; 5:19).
- Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galations 5:22).
- Joy is an attribute of the kingdom of God (Romans 14:17).
- Joy is an example to seekers (1 Kings 10).
To continually experience God’s joy, we need to be on guard against ‘joy robbers’ such as worry, frustration, stress, negativity, and fear. Ultimately, true joy is a choice and it is independent of circumstances (Habakkuk 3:17-19. Hebrews 12:1-2. Philippians 4:4. James 1:2-4).
So how can we laugh a little more and be more joyful this year?
- Change your perspective. Truly believe that God is in control of your life and that he is working all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Have a strong belief in God’s providence. Life is not always fair, but God is always good.
- Have an attitude of gratitude. Gratefulness always leads to joyfulness.
- Focus on the good things God has done. As the old hymn says, count your blessings (not problems!), name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
- Be an optimist NOT a pessimist. See the positive not just the negative. Look on the bright side.
- Get on the ‘solution side’ of your problems and challenges. Move beyond guilt and blame. Ask yourself what you can do to change things for the better.
- Learn to laugh at yourself. Be serious about life but don’t take yourself too seriously. See the humorous side of things.
- Maintain a sense of wonder. “The world will never lack for wonders as much as it will lack for wonder” [GK Chesterton]
How is your joy level right now? You got to .. laugh a little …