Joy

This morning's sermon was one that I so desperately needed to hear. The lesson was about finding joy outside of our life circumstances and instead finding joy in God. We looked at the example of Paul's life and his letter to the Philippians to learn about joy.

JOY! We are told we can feel it every day if we know how to go after it. Here are the things Doug Raymer pointed out.

What Paul didn't do:
Complain - Phil. 2:14 "Do all things without grumbling or questioning."Hold grudges - Phil1:15-18
Worry about pointless things - Phil.3:7-8
Dwell on the past - Phil.3:13 What would Paul's life be like if he dwelled on his not so great past? He had a bunch to be ashamed of, but he asked for forgiveness and moved on. If only all of us chose to do the same.

What Paul did:
Expressed gratitude - Phil.1:3
Built and nurtured relationships - Phil.1:7-8, 4:1
Had hope for the future - Phil.1:18-20,3:20-21
Saw the good in his life - Phil.1:12-13
Pursued a noble purpose - Phil.1:21,3:14
Practiced humility - Phil.2:3-4
Prayed about his difficulties - Phil.4:6-7
Thought beautiful thoughts - Phil.4:8
Content with what he had - Phil.4:11-12

Phil.4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." That includes living a joyful life through many trials and pain or even just daily annoyances.

This is a lesson I need to remember every day. Too often we blame our circumstances for our feelings. My job makes me stressed. My spouse drives me crazy. So and so hurt by feelings. But the truth is joy is within ourselves, within our control, within our reach. Through God all things are possible.

Joy is a choice each of us should be making.