Choose Joy ~ Janelle Dignan
What is it that brings us joy? Is it circumstances? Is it food? Is it a nice house? Do we finally have joy if everything is going well, if everyone is healthy, if there is money in the bank and we have no worries?
Paul tells us that joy is a choice!
This January, I and several ladies in our church, have been studying Philippians. This study has truly been a challenge and blessing to us. Philippians is often called the Epistle of Joy. Joy or joy-related words appear seventeen times in the book of Philippians. Ironically, Paul is under house arrest- chained to a guard while he is writing this book. And yet, he still talks about joy and being joyful in the Lord.
As Christians, we know that true joy only comes from Christ. Joy comes through His Spirit living in us. Galatians 5:22-23 gives us a list of the fruits of the spirit and joy is listed there as a by-product of the Holy Spirit living and abiding in us. Joy is available to us but sometimes we don’t feel too joyful. Sometimes we’ve got to do the hard work to “choose joy”.
There is so much good stuff in Philippians. We don’t have time to study the whole book in a short article but we see in chapter four, Paul admonishing the church to “rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice.” Here, he gives us a glimpse of his mindset and how he had been able to “choose joy” even through imprisonment and adversity.
Philippians 4:6-9 says,
Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Php 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Paul says in verse 6 to be careful for nothing or NOT to be worried or anxious about anything . If something is worrying us he says we need to bring it immediately to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to God. I believe “with thanksgiving” is so significant in this verse. It’s so easy to pray and ask for things but how often are we thankful in the situation or for what we have or what God has already done. Our mindset should always first be, “What can I be thankful for in this situation?” For example, “I’m thankful for clothes that I have that are too small for me because it means I have plenty to eat. I’m thankful for the mounds of laundry to do, because it means I have loved ones to care for. I’m thankful for the far parking spot because it means that I am strong and have legs and the strength to walk the distance. I’m thankful for the electric bill because it means I have heat to keep me warm in the cold.” We could go on and on. Some of these examples seem silly, but you get the idea. Our mindset should be one of gratitude even when something goes wrong or worries us. In Philippians chapter one, Paul talks about being thankful for the things that happened to him because he knew it “furthered the gospel”. Many of us will say “thank you” when something is given to us or is done for us but we’ve not cultivated a grateful attitude. There is a difference.
When we bring our worries to God and keep a gratitude attitude, the peace of God will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The word “keep” is a military term. It means to be a watcher in advance, to hem in, or protect. It means God’s peace will guard or protect not only our hearts but also our minds. Every feeling that we have or action that we do, starts in our minds. Paul goes on to list all the things that we should allow our minds to dwell on. Things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. If there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Is the thought that you’re dwelling on that’s bringing you worry, fear or anxiety on this list?
As the saying goes, “You can’t keep a bird from flying over your head, but you can keep it from building a nest on your head.” Meaning, sometimes thoughts come into our minds but we don’t have to dwell on these thoughts. 2Co 10:5 talks about “Casting down imaginations……and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”. I think it’s time we took some thoughts captive.
I believe part of the reason Paul could choose joy is because he gave his worries and fears to God, kept a grateful spirit and only allowed his mind to think on “these things”.
It is scientifically proven that our thought processes cause “paths” to be made in our minds. The more we think a certain way, the deeper these “paths” become. If you’re consistently dwelling on thoughts that bring you worry, anxiety and fears, guess what? These paths are going to be quite deep. They will be your automatic default mode. It’s going to be like trying to get out of a ditch. At first you may spin your wheels, you may feel stuck, but the more you try to begin making a new path, taking your worries to the Lord, having a gratitude attitude and keeping your thought life focused on the “these things” list, the better and the deeper this new path will become. It will take some serious work and effort to create this new path. It may mean catching yourself and changing your thought processes hundreds of times a day. It may seem impossible at first, but the more you do it, the easier it will become. With the Holy Spirit’s help, you too will be able to “choose joy”.
As Christians, we can “choose joy” through the best of times and through the worst of times. Our circumstances can change from victory to hardships, but our joy can always remain. Choose Joy.