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Practicing Joy
Posted By Janice
“The surest mark of a Christian is not faith, or even love, but joy.” Samuel M. Shoemaker
The world is doing its best this time of year to muster up some joy. People sing songs, decorate and shop, shop, shop. Even those who grumble about the chaos and extra cost of it all try to put on decent smile when the celebrations begin.
And in little moments, sprinkled through the glittery season, some people do experience some joy. They grasp on to it, hoping it will continue. But then the moment passes. The kids start to fight over their new toys. The wrapping and bows sit in a big mess of torn paper and garbage waiting to be cleaned up. The crusted dishes cover the counters, waiting to be washed. And the impending bills linger in the back of their minds.
Yes the holiday season, that place where the world hopes to find joy, does not bring true joy.
But we who know the Lord, we who have Christ in our hearts – we have joy, joy that remains. It is promised to us in every season, whether we have trimmings and bows or not.
Yet, sometimes it may seem scarce for us too. Sometimes we Christians forget our joy. We blend into the skepticism and bitterness of the world and lose our joy.
So how do we restore our joy? How do we rejoice this Christmas with sincerity and passion – and with a joy that will not fade when we take down the Christmas lights?
I am no expert, but I believe it comes from practicing joy. As I said on my blog the other day, I often say to myself and to my family, “We can only see what we are looking at.”
When we use the world’s perspective and focus on the temporary happiness and suffering of this world, we lose our joy. We zoom in on our tiny personal world and leave out all the truth we know. We block out Christ, his joyful gift, and our mission in the world. We can no longer see what truly matters.
So for me I find I have to practice joy. I have to refocus my eyes continually to see what God wants me to see. I need to fix my eyes on Christ, not on the world.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
I love the book of Philippians – the book of joy that Paul wrote in chains. Paul did not focus on the pain of this world; he didn’t drop his eyes and stare at his beaten, weary body. He fixed his eyes on eternity and rejoiced.
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” Philippians 3:20 – 4:1
Practice your joy my friends. Fix your eyes on all the gifts of Christ and you will rejoice, this season and beyond.
Discussion: Can people see joy in your life? How do you increase your joy? What times of your life have been more joyful?
Dec 2nd, 2006
Janice this is so true. Many times we wait for joy to come to us. Instead (and really it is just like marriage sometimes), you need to act out joy with God, serving others, etc…. to begin to feel joy. In marriage you need to act out love (sometimes) to begin to “feel the love again”.
Many times God makes us take that first step into the waters, where we think we might drown. But after that first step He comes in and parts the waters, He amazes us, and we find out selves time and time again saying, “oh, I did not consider that”.
What a great God we serve.
How do I increase my joy?
A couple of ways…but BOTH are deliberate. It doesn’t happen by accident. It’s like you said; we need to PRACTICE joy.
So if I find myself in the Gloomies, I try to sing. Then I turn myself to the positive things…the blessings God has given me, not the challenges I am facing.
Don’t get me wrong. I have had little moments of joy that sneak up on you when no one is looking. Those are SO fun…and one thing I really enjoy about being His Child. But sometimes, when things are hard, you have to LOOK for the joy. Raise it to the surface, dust it off and practice. Just like your mom used to make you practice your guitar or the piano…30 minutes a day.
Thanks for making me think, Janice!
Janice: When you mentioned we tend to zoom in our own tiny personal worlds that really jumped out at me. And I realized that that is truly when I really do lose my joy. But when when I can focus on others my problems and selfishness get smaller and for me I think the joy really comes when I recognize that God has used me in some way to touch someone else. I have to put aside me and my personal world in order to experience that however. Very good post, especially for this time of year Janice. Much to think over.
Janice,
Thank you so much for this. I have had a hard time finding joy this year. I lost my mom in February to cancer and the grief process has been harder to deal with than I thought.
I have been so blessed even in her death. I am trying to keep my focus on Christ and I know that my joy will return.
Praise songs and reading the Psalms are two things that redirect my thoughts. I also love the book of Phillipians. As a friend pointed out yesterday, when Isaiah was speaking to Isreal in their depths of despair he pointed them to the joy of future salvation. I don’t have to wait for a “future” salvation…my hope is already secure.
Have a wonderful day!
I’m probably one of those people that grumble with the coming of the Christmas season! I’m an introvert so the hustle and bustle of the harried shoppers make me want to hide under a rock. Our life has been full of chaos and trials ever since my husband and I had our three children. Everytime I get through one obstacle my attitude is usually, “What’s next.” Instead I should be thankful that the Lord gave me strength to get through it. I realize I tend to let the matters of this world rob me of joy but in my heart I know that everything works together for God’s good. Fully trusting in Him brings me joy. I’m no longer burdened with the weight of the world on my shoulders.