Joy

Philippians 4:4

New International Version (NIV)

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

Over time, I have come to realize that most people regard joy as a situational emotion that we long to experience in life. John Ortberg, the author of The Life You've Always Wanted, points out a fact that even I overlooked until hearing it from him. Joy isn't just a distant feeling that we strive for, it is a command from God. In Philippians 4:4, Paul  doesn't instruct us to "rejoice I guess if you feel like it some days." Instead, He tells us to rejoice in the Lord always, and in case we didn't catch it well enough the first time, Paul repeats the command to rejoice! Joy isn't a shallow feeling of happiness, but a deep satisfaction that Christians experience when they know God.

Because joy is demanded of us, we can be encouraged that it is not some far off emotion that we have no hopes of feeling.  Would God ask us to perform some sort of impossible task? When we trust that God loves us and cares about us, the answer to that question is clear.  If God tells us to do something, He will not only make sure we are capable of doing it, but He will actually help us to accomplish the task. Although being sad is absolutely appropriate at times, joy is a satisfaction that goes deeper than than sadness. People can feel sad about a situation or circumstance without losing the joy they have in their hearts for God.

So how exactly can we practice the discipline of joy? St Francis De Sales said, "The first way is to realize more vividly the omnipresence of God, in other words, the fact that God is everywhere and in everything, that nowhere and nothing in this world may he not be found. Just as the birds, wherever they fly, always encounter the air, so we, wherever we go or wherever we are, find God present. Everyone know this but few give it much thought."

Steve Evans, a noted Christian philosopher
, says that he is reminded of God's existence when he tastes banana cream pie. I know it sounds silly, but when we read the above quote by De Sales, it makes sense. If we look for God in everything, including banana cream pie, we learn more about Him, and thus have more reasons to rejoice in Him. God could very easily have given us food that always tastes bland and flavorless, but instead, he made the necessity of food an enjoyable one.  He gave us a variety of crazy good tastes to experience when we eat. If we think about it that way, then banana cream pie can absolutely bring us joy; it's a reminder of God's goodness!

When we are surrounded by a loving family and friends in a completely stress-free atmosphere, it is easy to remember how good God truly is; it is easy to feel joy and rejoice.  Unfortunately, life isn't always set up so nice and neatly for us. That's why joy is truly a discipline that takes practice rather than a pleasure that comes naturally.  One way I have chosen to practice joy is to write a list of things that truly make me happy, and then try to figure out what each item on the list tells us about God.  My list includes things such as apple cider in autumn, warm flannel blankets in winter, sleeping under the stars, and homemade chocolate chip cookies and milk.  From my list, I know that God loves to bring us warmth and comfort when we need it the most, he's so great that he can create universes far beyond our own, and that he can bring us joy by simply adding a bit of spice to our life (and to our drinks).

Therefore, let yourself enjoy all of God's creation, and in turn, the Creator himself.  Remember that joy is a command that God is more than eager to help us obey.  When you are down, that's okay; but don't let circumstantial unpleasantries take away the joy that knowing God brings you. We are to rejoice in the Lord always and are given so many reasons to, for our God is a loving God.

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