The Secret of Joy

God's plan for your life is for you to have a full measure of His joy.

 

What is joy?  

Joy is what gives us the energy to make life fulfilling and enjoyable.   Joy is like spiritual and emotional caffeine.

 

Lack of joy is a lack of emotional energy.  When joy is missing from our lives, how do we get it back? 

 

The lack of joy is not the absence of sadness.  Jesus was about to go to the cross, and He said. 

John 17:13 (NIV)

13 “I (Jesus) am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.

Joy is the absence of misery and despair.  Despair is believing that it's never going to get better.  

If something is wrong, that doesn't mean that everything is wrong.

It doesn't mean that what happened to us isn't bad, but joy give us the energy to keep fighting.  Life is really one fight after another.  The Bible is full of fights.

We have to fight to stay holy.  A good marriage is a fight.  It takes energy.  We need to fight for our joy because it gives us the energy for every other fight.  

Even in the best parts of our lives.  We will all come to a point that I can't do it anymore.  Joy gives us the strength to keep going.  

Joy tells us that there are better days ahead if we will just push through the moment.  

Nehemiah had to fight to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. It was tough.  We must fight to keep our joy.   

Nehemiah 8:10B New International Version (NIV)

This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 

Paul was writing this from a prison.  

Philippians 3:1 (NIV)

3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Joy keeps us safe.  

Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Joy is choice.  

Joy is a command.  

We need to define our joy.  

What do you what in your life?  If you can't define it, someone else will. 

Life is constant battle of being pulling in different directions.  Defining what's good for you will keep you from the bad. These are good for you.

A. Being right with God.  

B. Being right with others. 

C. Being used to make a difference. 

D. Your love ones thriving.   

2. We need to pursue joy in the middle of what's happening. 

2 Corinthians 7:4 (NIV)

4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

2 Corinthians 8:2 (NIV)

2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

We have to make the life that we want with the life that we have. 

Philippians 4:12-3  (NIV)

12 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. 

13 I can do all this through him (God) who gives me strength.

It's not any easier when it's good than when it's bad. 

1. Learn to be grateful.  It's helps us to find our joy.

2. Learn to be flexible.  Pursue joy in the life that you have.

3. Learn to spread joy.  We get from God what we sow in others.

  

2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 

3 John 4 New International Version (NIV)

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

The people who find joy find that joy by spreading joy in the lives of others. 

4. Trust God.  

When life gets hard, realize that God's got a plan for your life which is different from your plan. 

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Joy is a by product of hope.  Trust requires surrender to God.  The only person who can stop your joy is you. 

Luke 18:23 (NIV)

23 When he (the rich young ruler) heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 

Sometimes it's the good things that steals your joy  because it keeps you from surrender.   

Do you want to have joy?  

Surrender your  life to Jesus.  

Tell Jesus forgive my past, and take my life.  Be my Lord and Savior.   Amen!

Notes from Johnny Green, Healing Place Church.