Experience Gods Joy No Matter What
Experiencing Gods Joy No Matter What!
Opening Scriptures:
Philippians 4:4- Rejoice in the Lord always again I say rejoice
Psalm 118:24 – This is the day that the Lord has made we shall rejoice and be glad in it.
Introduction:
Many people today live their lives in a constant state of stress and turmoil. As Christians, we do not have to live that way because God’s Spirit lives in us and a characteristic of His Spirit is joy.
We all face difficulties in life, which are normal.
God has given you and me joy that surpasses all natural understanding. Most people who find themselves in challenging situations believe they must spend their entire life being angry over what has happened in the past. That is not true.
We do not have to live a life full of anger and bitterness. It is possible to experience true joy because complete joy is found only in God.
JOY defined – the inner attitude of rejoicing in one’s salvation regardless of outward circumstances. Joy is one of the fruits of a right relationship with God. To live a life of joyfulness requires you to make a decision and choose to live a life of full of joy. We will always face problems and disappointments, which is a part of life. However, we can still experience joy even when we are facing disappointments. Paul said inPhilippians 4:11 “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (NIV). You can always be joyful — no matter what happens — because God is in control. With all the troubles Paul experience he still choose to have Joy.
The bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NIV)
It did not say to be joyful sometimes, but to be joyful always! This is a choice
You have to make a decision to get your joy back. You do not have to live life in defeat or stay in the offensive position. The moment you feel that discouragement trying to come on you, rise up and say, this is the day the Lord has made I shall rejoice and be glad in it… to rejoice means to do it again. God will allow you to experience joy again.
One thing I have learned is sorrow will always be around but I determine how much influence and controlI allow sorrow to have over me and not my situation.
You will have sorrow but sorrow should not have you. Sorrow is temporary a temporary state of being. The bible says in Psalm 30:5 weeping endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. Sorrow did not come to stay but it came to pass
When we are experiencing weeping nights, remember joy will arrive in the morning.
However, our joy is not contingent upon the SUN to rise in our life but the SON to rise and because the SON has risen, we have Joy. When the SON rise in our life regardless of how dark it may be in your life you can still experience Joy.
When our own reservoirs are empty – when we face problems for which there seem to be no solutions. Remember the scripture that says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens us” (Phil. 4:13). Because the Joy of the Lord is our Strength, therefore with the strength of God we can do all things through Christ; we can overcome all things through Christ
What steps can you take today to start experiencing Joy?
1. Identify times when problems tried to manipulate you in feeling sad. What were you doing?
2. What can you do different today that may help you keep sadness at bay?
3. Tell yourself today I will not allow sadness in. Decide not to live by how you feel. Go deeper than that and start living by what you know.
4. Remember the promises of God concerning Joy