You can be joyful always. Do you know this? Do you want this? Here’s how.
Be joyful always? Always? Really?
The other day my teen’s car refused to start. Less than joy-filled, she phoned her dad a bunch of times. No answer. Then she dialed me. Her voiced turned little girlish. “Mom, why did this have to happen? Can you come get me?”
Thank God the car dropped dead in lot of an auto repair shop. Seriously, how often does a car break down at a mechanic’s shop?
Thank God she had a couple of free hours. Me too. I jumped in my Honda and sped over to her and her ornery car. . .the black Cavalier with missing paint. Sunshine and wind and high 50s. Amazing weather in northern Illinois in early March. As I hopped out of the Honda and tried my hand at the naughty car — yes, the gear was in “Park” and everything seemed to roll but how could it? This dead car?
Long story short, a thing called the fly wheel looked like mice had chewed it and a bolt wiggled loose, enough to stop the starter. An hour later and a hundred dollars later, she turned the ignition and the engine sang as the radio blasted. She smiled wide, braces long gone.
But be joyful always?Even when the car died?
Was the Apostle Paul philosophizing the impossible when he wrote these words to the Jesus followers in Thessalonica 2,000 years ago? Does God really expect any of us to be joyful always? What about tornadoes and identity theft, divorce and Internet porn and battered women, meth labs, broken cars and. . .
Then I read the next two verses and it started making sense. “Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” So when I pray through my day and listen to God, he tells me he loves me and wants the very best for me? Yes, yes. Our great God reminds me that I’m his daughter, beautiful and cherished. Not because I did anything to earn his love, but because of whose I am:
His!
By approaching life this way, I discover I can “be joyful always.” This really is God’s will (i.e., his plan, his purpose) for me. My joy has little to do with my circumstances and everything to do with two choices.
Read tomorrow’s post for the two choices that will bring you joy.
Question: In what area of life do you regularly experience joy? Your family? Work? Friendships? A hobby? Please leave a comment.
Friends, I also offer Christian biblical counseling to women who need answers to life’s problems. May I invite you to check out my counseling page here?
With Joy Overflowing!
I regularly experience joy in knowing i have my family, and also in my friendships just knowing i have friends. At the end of the day i do have a loving family to be with that love me despite my imperfections and quirks!
How wonderful, Amanda. Joy and happiness are different, as you know. Happiness comes and goes while joy sticks around, even in crazy times. For me, it’s know God is with me and for me. What a great God we serve.
Blessings of Joy,
Lucy
I experience joy in studying and learning God’s word… I am constantly amazed as I soak in what He has to say. Learning and growing in the Lord is the most joyful thing! It is what gets me through those tough times when the joy feels sucked out of me! 🙂
in Him…
Right on, Tricia. We can experience joy in many ways–taking a walk along a beach, talking deep with a girlfriend, and so on–yet there is NOTHING like soaking in God’s living Word. This is real refreshment. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate you.
I experienced “Joy” thru my Family and my everyday Life. My “Joy” has given me Strength I didn”t know I had; and I “praise’ “Jesus” everyday for his Gift, and my “Grace” thru Him!! Amen!!!
Sharon, how wonderful! You’re praising God and enjoying the gift of your family. May you continue in your worship of the Lord. Blessings, Lucy
I Feel God’s Joy moment-by-moment. as i give thanks moment-by-moment. thank you.
That’s wonderful, Claudia.