Joy That’s Bigger Than Your Problems
Recent reading has brought me to a good book entitled “Strategies for Life for Singles and Young Adults.” While reading the book I came across a concept I’d like to share with you.
This concept can be applied to any person and any walk of life. It deals with the source we derive our joy and happiness from. It’s said in this book that there is “a profound difference between happiness and joy. A person cannot be happy all the time, but he can always be joyful. Happiness is derived and removed by external factors. Joy springs from within, and therefore cannot be lessened or increased by forces outside us. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit — an invisible power that transcends all volleys against it.” To restate this, don’t wait for the things outside your control to change so that you can live a joyful fulfilled life. Instead, realize that God wants you to be joyful and has given you the power to do so within you through His Holy Spirit.
So if joy is a Fruit of the Spirit, it will be developed in us as the Spirit of God does it work in us. But then where do we derive this inner joy from? When we receive the Holy Spirit we find that we have been ‘endued with power from on high.’ This is the power to look beyond our present circumstances to the God who is greater than our problems. It gives us a chance to rise above every obstacle that can be put in our way. We don’t have to be brought down by anything, because God is on our side and gives us the strength we need to carry on. We can be excited because our joy needn’t come from our external circumstances, but it comes from the power of the Almighty God living in you!
It reminds me of someone I know who has found that recently they have been more overcome with joy, not only because of where their focus lies while in prayer, but also where their focus lies in life. For a while they weren’t focused on and studying the word and seeking in their daily life. They were on fire at church, but less than enthusiastic when they were outside its four walls or not in a special service. Now that they have allowed their daily life to be filled with thoughts of God, the joy I have written about has been realized in their life.
So I challenge you this week to look beyond your circumstances to the God (Jesus) who is bigger than your problems. Focus your eyes on Him and watch as all else fades into the background. Go in joy, not because your external circumstances have improved, but because you have been empowered to live a joyful life through Jesus Christ. Again, joy is not some mystical object or idea that can’t be attained, but a Fruit of the Spirit that will develop in us as we stay in Christ and focus on Him.
As with anything you have to want it before you get it and persue it. If you have surrendered your life to Jesus, and diligently seek Him, He will reward you with joy. Joy remains resident in you, as long as you continue your pursuit of Him. He does the work in you as long as you oblige him for His grace and mercy in your life.
I accept the challenge. That is an important distinction to know and to keep in mind. When God is the source of our joy, nothing can separate us from His love.