Take Back Your Joy
“Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I will say rejoice.” Philippians 4:4
There are moments in our lives when we feel that everything around us becomes overwhelming. Little annoyances multiply and suddenly you’re having a full-blown bad day. It is important in these moments to remember where our joy comes from. What do we hold onto in times of stress? The devil loves to trick us, to whisper our insecurities, anxiety, and pain into monstrous sizes. If he can keep us feeling small, he can keep us stuck in the same negative loop, believing the lie that nothing will ever get better.
Lately, I’ve found myself in a rut of feeling uncreative, unproductive, and unmotivated, especially when it comes to my writing. The devil tries to convince me that I have nothing to share with anyone, that I am unworthy, and why would anyone want to listen to me? Here’s the thing with those thoughts- they prevent me from doing the Lord’s work. I can’t let God use me if I’m holding back from tapping into the gifts He’s given me for the specific call He’s placed over my life. God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
A couple of weeks ago, I was called back to the book of Philippians and have been clinging to it this month. It is an encouraging book, pointing us to Jesus and shifting our focus to the joy in our hearts because of Him. Though it is an uplifting letter written by Paul to the church of Philippi, it was actually written during harsh conditions. Paul was imprisoned in a Roman prison for preaching the gospel of Christ and knew his execution was close at hand. Despite his physical predicament, Paul writes to the church of Philippi to rejoice in the Lord. Not only to rejoice, but to rejoice always, no matter the surrounding circumstance. He could have chosen to complain or express his fears, but instead he pointed everything back to glorifying God.
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:12-13.
He encourages the Philippians to remain steadfast in the Lord and continually calls them back to joy, reminding them that because Jesus died on the cross for our salvation, we have cause to always be joyful. Paul does the complete opposite of dwelling on his problems. Paul was not considering human views of humiliation or earthly troubles, instead focusing on whether Christ was glorified through his actions. His perspective was not on what was around him, but in Who was within him.
“I will not be ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:20-21.
Perspective is extremely important. In the book of John (4:23), Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that God is seeking true worshippers who will worship Him in “spirit and in truth.” God is three persons in one- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are all equal in glory and power but are distinctive parts of one personhood in perfect unity. We, made in the image of God, are also three in one- our thoughts (mind), emotions (heart), and will (soul). If any of these are out of balance with each other, then the spirit is not in unity. This prevents us from praising God in spirit because our mind has to be renewed (Romans 12:2) and we have to be given a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26) so that they can come into agreeance with the Holy Spirit, and we can worship in spirit and in truth. When your perspective is focused on God, when your spirit is aligned with the Word of God, the truth of the gospel flows out of you. When you watch a cool movie or read a great book, the natural instinct is to tell others to go look at it as well. It’s that excitement that bubbles out of you to share with others what you’ve just experienced that comes from a place of honest joy. It’s the same with God and its why Paul is able to access that unlimited joy that is rooted in hope and faith in Christ. We must worship God in spirit and in truth in order to access the joy and peace He freely gives us.
Paul goes on saying, “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.” (Philippians 2:17). Those are some serious words. Paul’s faith in his Creator trumped any earthly discomfort. You see, after Paul’s encounter with God, he was a changed man. The Lord had opened his mind to understand beyond worldly views and understand the things of the spirit. With this encounter, Paul understood that God sent Jesus to die so that we may have life. He took the form of a man to take the punishment as a sacrifice for our sins so that we may have the chance to be reconciliated with God. As an outcome of this, we all have the chance at eternal life when we choose to repent (Romans 3:23) and follow Jesus. The gospel (which literally means good news in Greek) is reason enough to always be grateful and have joy.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
How can we receive that peace that is beyond our understanding? The peace comes from trusting in God and knowing He is good regardless of the outcome of any situation because His goodness is not based on human standards, but on His Holiness. When I feel discouraged, I can rejoice. Our joy is in God- in His faithfulness, in His kindness, in His mercy, in His grace, in His perfect love. In every season, it’s what we must cling to. In some seasons the clinging may look like sobbing on your knees, but don’t let go, keep holding on. Don’t let the devil steal your joy. For every bad thought you have, place a good memory next to it. Make a list, write it down. Remember gratitude and reflect on it. A friend of mine once told me that life was like the ocean with big waves and little waves. Some waves devastate you and others are minor, but they’re all necessary for the sea to keep moving, so we must keep moving forward. So, I will use the talent God gave me for His glory and write. I will wrap my insecurities and fears in a box, and hand them to Him. I will reflect on gratitude, remember His faithfulness, and recall joy to mind- a joy that cannot be taken away. I pray dear reader, that you will be encouraged to do the same.
