Joy

Great Attitude Series: “Joy”

Every day you can find at least one thing to laugh about!

Someone asked Mother Teresa once what the job description was for anyone wanting to work alongside her in the grimy streets and narrow alley ways of Calcutta. Without hesitation her response was two things. First of all you need a strong work ethic and a joyful attitude. She stated that it had been her observation that both of these are missing in people today

Think for just a moment about Proverbs 15;15; “A cheerful heart has a continual feast.” I heard a great response to the question, “How are you today?” The response; “Everyday is a holiday and every meal is a banquet.” Now that is a great attitude on life. I find it interesting that this verse follows instructions on heeding instruction and seeking knowledge in the right places. Therefore, it produces a cheerful heart

·         The ability to get a laugh out of everyday situations is our safety valve. It rids us of tensions and worries that could otherwise damage our health.

·         To show this is no exaggeration listen to Proverbs 17:22; “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”

Did you know that the term “joy (xara) occurs 123x within 61 verses of scripture of the New Testament? Do you think that God desires for His people to be happy? For His church to experience joy? The inward attitude of joy governs the outward display of the heart.

Let us consider how the Apostle Paul uses this term – JOY

1.    First of all joy is bound up in the work as an Apostle. It is “joy in the faith…” (Phil. 1:25) and it is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).

2.    Consider a paradoxical verse “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking. But of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17. This is paradoxical in the sense that the Kingdom of God is now and future. Therefore, joy is a component of the now and then.

3.    Joy is a derivative of proclaiming Christ – Philippians 1:18

4.    “Holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain” (Phil. 2:16). Joy in this verse is more than an emotion. It is a reference to the future experienced as joy in the present.

5.    Joy is maintained in the face of suffering – 2 Cor. 7:4; “I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you, I am filled with comfort. In all of our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.”

a.    Consider the motif of joy in suffering: Colossians 1:24; 2:5; 2 Timothy 1:4