LIVING JOYFULLY

Delight yourselves in God, yes, find your joy in him at all times. Have a reputation for gentleness, and never forget the nearness of your Lord.  Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (Ph)

To rejoice is a choice.  The focus of joy and the source of joy are in your relationship with the Lord God.  It’s in your time spent with Him.  When you’re getting your joy from the Lord you can show forbearance with people.  When you choose to share with the Lord all of your heart and all of your needs, thanking Him for what He’s done in your life, and you choose not to be consumed with worry, then God will give you peace of mind.  He will guard your heart and mind with His peace.

Practically speaking:

1.      Take time with the Lord to experience joy with Him.

2.      Take that joy with you throughout the day.

3.      Then you can be forbearing with others.  Why? Because your inner joy and peace is not based on how people act or react to you, but on your relationship with the Lord.

4.      Take the emotional hits and burdens back to the Lord and talk to Him about all of them.  Leave your anxiety with Him.  And then His peace will guard your feelings and our thoughts.

Three things about God’s relationship with the committed believer in Christ will never change:

1. You will always be together.  Rest in His security.

I can never escape from your Spirit!  I can never get away from your presence! Psalm 139:7 (NLT)

2. He will work everything out for your good.  Rest in His goodness.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 (NLT)

3. He wants you to know how deeply He loves you.  Rest in His love for you.

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it, … There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. 1 John 3:1; 4:18 (Mes)