Introduction
Joy is not only possible in the face of problems. It is necessary!
With all of our daily struggles, we sometimes forget that God wants us to laugh and enjoy life.
Life can be very serious. We face problems every day in our personal lives and are faced with atrocities such as world hunger, rape, child abuse and war. Certainly, I’m not minimizing all that’s wrong in the world. Yet Psalm 16:11 (ESV) says that in God’s presence there is fullness of joy.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
We know that there is joy, laughter and peace forever in Heaven. However, Psalm 16:11 isn’t only talking about Heaven. When you decide to trust in Christ, God’s presence can blast into your life and explode out of everything you do, no matter what problems you face.
Many people think that if you laugh and enjoy life, you aren’t taking matters seriously. I disagree. Joy isn’t frivolous and unnecessary. In fact, Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT) tells you not to be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength! Joy is not only possible in the face of problems. It is necessary!
With all the stress that can happen, you can still hang on to your joy. We've compiled 7 ways to walk in joy. Life is too short and God is too good to allow yourself to stay down!
Thankfulness
Even in the eye of the storm, you can praise God for what He has done in your life.
There are times in life when we go through unbelievably painful events and circumstances. Joy seems out of the question.
Yet, I’ve witnessed the amazing results that happen when people manage to move their focus off what hurts and on to the goodness of God.
Even in the eye of the storm, you can praise God for what He has done in your life. When you do, it helps you to get in His presence (Psalm 100:4). God is always with you, but gratitude helps you to sense His presence... where there is joy!
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4 (NKJV)
You can give thanks everywhere you go. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) says “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This doesn’t mean that you need to thank God FOR everything. If the enemy brings pain, grief or sickness into your life, don’t thank God for it. Instead, move your focus onto what you're thankful for and what God has promised you and bring the miraculous power of God into your situation!
It takes about 21 days to change a habit. I challenge you to buy a package of thank you cards today. Fill one out every day for 21 days. Write some to God. Hide one in your spouse’s pocket. Drop one anonymously on a co-worker’s desk. Tuck one in your son or daughter’s lunch. Thank people verbally, too, whenever possible.
Try it! In 21 days, you will be amazed how your life has changed, just by expressing gratitude.
Stop Murmuring
Nothing kills joy faster than complaining.
When God set the people of Israel free from slavery in Egypt, they experienced miracle after miracle. God sent plagues to their enemies and pillars of cloud and fire to guide them, He split the Red Sea, fed them manna and gushed water out of a rock. Yet they continually complained.
When they finally reached the Promised Land, they refused to go in. Instead, they complained that the task was impossible... even after all of the miracles they had witnessed! As a result, every one of them died in the wilderness—everyone but Caleb and Joshua, who believed.
And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. 1 Corinthians 10:10-11 (NLT)
You certainly are not going to drop dead if you murmur and complain. However, complaining about your marriage brings death to the relationship you have with your spouse. Continually finding fault with your job destroys your ability to enjoy what you do.
Refusing to complain doesn’t mean that you become flaky, ignoring all problems in your relationships. Actually, people only murmur when they want to avoid direct confrontation. If you have a problem with someone, Jesus says go privately and point out the offence (Matthew 18:15-17, NLT). In other words, confront them in love. He doesn’t say “go and complain to all your friends about them!”
Nothing kills joy faster than complaining. Keep your mind on what you like about people. That way, even when you disagree, you will keep your sense of humour as you work things out.
Forgive Instantly
God can set you free by empowering you to completely forgive if you ask Him.
Holding grudges actually poisons your life. If you don’t make an effort to intentionally forgive, you end up with a mental list of everyone who has ever crossed you...and it keeps getting longer. It’s a horrible way to live—it causes you to only notice the negative and it saps your joy.
When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone, he thought his suggestion of seven times was generous. Jesus shocked him by saying he should forgive 490 times in one day! In other words, it’s not about counting the score. It’s about adopting a way of life where you instantly forgive.
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV)
Many people say, “I’ll forgive but I will never forget.” Biblical forgiveness is choosing to forgive and forget. God does. He looks at you as a brand-new creation—the old is forgotten. I’m not trying to minimize the pain you may be feeling, but God can set you free by empowering you to completely forgive if you ask Him.
If someone has hurt you, forgiving them does not mean that you automatically return them to a position of trust with you. Forgiveness simply means that you remove the desire for them to be punished. They may earn back your trust eventually or they may not.
Remember that forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a choice. If you are holding on to an offence, choose to forgive daily by saying “I forgive them Lord, in Jesus’ name.” He will empower you to forgive and the feelings of forgiveness will eventually follow.
Mind Your Own Business
Don’t waste your time on gossip—it will only steal your joy.
If you’ve ever watched a reality TV show where people have little to do but gossip about each other, you've likely noticed how miserable they seem. People who are bored often have nothing better to do than nitpick each other. They blow every little argument out of proportion.
In the Bible, gossip is no small matter. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 actually lists gossip and slander along with murder, theft and adultery! Also, Proverbs 18:8 (NLT) says Rumours are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. Gossip can cut to the heart, bringing unbelievable destruction and pain into others’ lives.
If you gossip, you also destroy your own reputation and friendships. No one can trust you if you talk about others; they keep wondering when you will talk about them.
We think that our words will stay with the person we tell them to. We say “I’ll just tell one person,” but they say the same thing to one more person and on it goes. Gossip has a way of getting out and it always does damage.
Make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (AMP)
Today, make a decision to put a guard on your mouth.
Don’t waste your time on gossip—it will only steal your joy. Since Death and life are in the power of the tongue, be a life-giver by choosing to speak positive words and scriptures (Proverbs 18:21).
Instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing, busy yourself with the direction your life is heading. Ask Holy Spirit to help you discover and focus on the amazing vision He has for your life.
Don't Focus on Lack
Make the decision to enjoy every day and every phase of your life.
Have you ever compared your situation to someone else’s and had it steal all your joy? Maybe you thought you had the house of your dreams...until you went for coffee at a friend’s brand-new house. After comparing your house with theirs, all you could see was what your house lacked.
When you see people with great friendships, you might wonder why you don’t have friends like that. You may compare your spouse with someone else’s, noticing all the things your spouse fails to do.
Or maybe you envy someone else’s stage of life: you think you would be happier if you were married, had children, your kids were older or you had a better job. It’s amazing how we can get our eyes on what we don’t have—and completely miss the blessings all around us.
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. Philippians 4:11 (NKJV)
You can expect things to get better while being content with where they are today. Have a vision for a nicer home, a better marriage and great friendships...but be grateful for what you do have today. Like Paul, focus on what you can be thankful for, not what you do not have. He learned to be content in any state...even in circumstances that were more awful than we can imagine.
You can make the decision to enjoy every day and every phase of your life. Focus on what you have, not what you lack and be content with where you are.
Grow Your Marriage
God designed marriage as a partnership that can empower you to succeed.
Marriage can bring phenomenal joy to your life...or unbelievable pain. It’s not that you have to be married to have joy, but if you are married, growing that marriage relationship brings laughter and joy.
Some try to forget about the distance in their marriage by numbing themselves with TV, friendships or distractions. It’s sad because marriage was never designed to contain you. God designed marriage as a partnership that can empower you with ten times the power to succeed in your destiny.
The problem is that some don’t realize the full purpose behind their marriage. If I lived my life confined to one room, I would come to notice every flaw in it. If I were to step out into the street and then move on to explore my city, country, planet and universe...I would see that there is so much more to discover!
Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. Ephesians 5:22-24 (MSG)
Many think that marriage confines them. They limit their marriage’s purpose to being only about the kids or each other. That’s only a small part! God’s plans for you and your spouse are beyond what you can imagine. If He compares a marriage relationship to Christ and the church, there’s no limit to its potential!
It is work, but you can build a great marriage relationship. Read books, take courses and don’t hold your marriage captive to mistakes of the past. Have fun, go on dates, write love letters and get your eyes on the future!
Stay in the Spirit
Regularly meditate on God’s Word and ask Holy Spirit to teach you.
What is the absolute best way to have laughter and joy? Things, food, fun, relationships and status are all great...but they don’t make your life. The key is to stay in the Spirit. All problems won’t disappear, but Holy Spirit will enable you to enjoy His peace and joy through it all.
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17 (NLT)
After you decide to trust in Christ, you can ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit. Keep in mind: it’s not a one-time thing. You need to let Him fill you on a continuous basis. Acts 13:52 says the disciples were continually filled [throughout their souls] with joy and the Holy Spirit (AMPC).
How do you stay in the Spirit? Develop a relationship with Holy Spirit:
• Regularly meditate on God’s Word and ask Holy Spirit to teach you.
• Spending time with Holy Spirit, listening to Him. Talk to Him. Tell Him how you feel. Every morning, ask Him “What would you like me to do today?”
• Obey the Word and Holy Spirit instantly.
• Pray in the Spirit daily. If you have not yet been baptized in Holy Spirit—study, learn about Him, attend a meeting that will teach you about Him and get filled with Holy Spirit. Then, practice the gift of praying in the Spirit daily. It’s a beautiful way to strengthen you.
Get filled and stay filled with Holy Spirit. In His presence is fullness of joy! (Psalm 16:11, NKJV)
