Clinging to Joy
"Joy is distinctly a Christian word and a Christian thing. It is the reverse of happiness. Happiness is the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy has its springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jesus gives that joy. He had joy, singing its music within, even under the shadow of the cross." -S.D. Gordon
Reading that definition of joy provided me with a cool visual - our joy can never run out, because it's source is Jesus, and He is alive and intimately concerned with the little details of our lives. We can know and trust that God has our best interests in mind, and that He is working in our lives. This brings joy, because no matter what happens, we know that we can rest confidently in God's love for us and the fact that He is preparing a place for us in heaven, which will be the most joyous experience of all!
That being said, joy isn't always so forthcoming and sometimes joy doesn't feel very joyful. Joy is more than happiness - happiness is a temporary emotion that is connected to our physical or emotional wellbeing, and is contingent on things going well in our lives. Joy, on the other hand, transcends our circumstances. Joy isn't about whether or not things are going right in our lives. Instead, joy is like hope - it's an unwavering confidence that God will work things out for our good and that in spite of our circumstances, God loves us.
Joy is an unwavering confidence that God will work all things out for our good, irrespective of our circumstances.
Joy is a funny thing. In Philippians, one of the primary themes is joy, even though Paul was imprisoned while he wrote this book! Paul writes, "rejoice in the LORD always, and again I will say rejoice!" Even while jailed for his "crimes", Paul was joyful. He clung to the joy he had in knowing that his future was secure and that the best was yet to come. Nothing we undergo in our lives here on earth can compare to the joy and glory we will experience when we are at last home in heaven! This is what gave Paul the ability to say that he had learned to be content wherever he was, and how he could rejoice in spite of his grim circumstances.
We can have joy knowing that our future is secure and the best is yet to come.
I've been struggling with this concept of being "content where I am", or even being joyful recently. On a national scale, COVID-19 is still taking its toll, and it feels as though freedom is disappearing along with hope. Work has been stressful and tense due to conflict with coworkers. A little closer to home, I've been having some health difficulties in the form of migraines and insomnia. I feel like a ditch on a blistering summer's day - drained ;) How can you and I be joyful in regards to our struggles (which certainly don't make anyone feel like rejoicing at all)?
Thankfully, joy doesn't invalidate our difficult circumstances. Bad things are not labelled bad for no reason - they are terrible, and they come as a price of living in a sinful, fallen world! And recognizing that bad things are bad and painful is crucial. But, bad things aren't the end, which is where joy comes in. Joy rises above our pain, because in spite of our pain, God is still good, and He is never going to leave us or forsake us. He walks with us in our pain and sorrow, and He has provided a heavenly home that will be far greater than we can even imagine! This knowledge is what brings joy, because regardless of how terrible life on earth becomes, we have God on our side, and He has prepared a glorious, perfect home for all who believe in Him.
Joy doesn’t invalidate our difficult circumstances, but it does rise above them.
Now, all of this information about joy is great, but how does that translate into actually changing our perspectives? How can YOU cling to joy and fix your eyes on Jesus? Here are 4 pragmatic steps you can take to get your focus off of your problems and onto both Jesus and others:
1. Do Something for Someone Else
Especially now, in a COVID-19 world where people feel more isolated than ever, doing random acts of kindness is vital! Just like gratitude, doing something for others also gets the focus off of yourself, and you will derive so much joy from blessing others. Reminding people that they have not been forgotten is so important since COVID restrictions have left many feeling abandoned, hopeless, or lonely. Whether you do something kind for a family member, a neighbour, or a completely random stranger, your action will bring joy to both you and the person you are serving! Check out this article for 17 ways that YOU can show kindness and serve others.
2. Practice Re-Training Your Thoughts
Thoughts are hard to handle at times. We get lost down a rabbit trail of hypotheticals, which stresses, worries, or depresses us. One of the most challenging things someone can do to combat runaway thoughts is to intentionally use that "triggering thought" as a springboard to remind yourself of the truth.
For example, if you are stressed out about COVID-19 and its ravaging effects and seemingly endless regulations, remind yourself of the truth: God is in control, and He is not shocked or surprised by any of the things happening right now. While this is not to advocate laziness (i.e., not bothering to take action, because God's in control anyway), this is to calm the storm inside your heart and mind, giving you a fresh perspective. God is stronger than COVID-19, and He is on our side!
3. Memorize Scripture
This goes along with the first point about retraining your thoughts - instead of focusing on your fears, remind yourself of the truth, and recentre by looking to Jesus.
"...And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." -Hebrews 12:1-3
Here's a wonderful article that outlines a really innovative, effective way to memorize scripture that makes the whole process much easier and fun.
4. Be Thankful
Make a list of things you're grateful for at the end of each day. My dear mum gave me a book awhile ago called 1,000 Gifts by Anne Voskamp. The author was miserable and unhappy, and was given the challenge to write down 1,000 things she was grateful for. By the end of her experience, her perspective had changed drastically. I am currently working on a year-long challenge similar to the 1,000 Gift challenge, and every night I write down 3 things I am grateful for. This helps me to get the focus off of my problems and recentres me, reminding me of God and the good things in my life. Gratitude changes the way you view the world, and some research suggests that happiness is linked with gratitude. While happiness isn't the goal, the Bible does say "in everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus", so clearly thankfulness is important.
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