Being full of joy each day is a challenge in this world . . . as it always has been.
To be joyful every day requires us to be intentional. It may even require us to create a new routine. Being joyful daily life requires choosing to practice it daily, not thinking about it once and hoping we will remember everyday.
When we are intentional about doing something every day, it becomes ingrained in us. It becomes a way of life.
As the Apostle Paul was concluding his letter to the Philippian church, he gave them instructions that, when we obey them, give praise to the Lord and provide us with many blessings, one of which I believe is a joy-filled life.
There is a lot of content in Philippians 4:4-13. This article will focus on four of the points, but please read this Scripture and pray over it. Copyright law prohibits me from writing out the entire passage in this article, so I suggest you click this link to read Philippians 4:4-13 as we review these main points.
Rejoice
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! ” (Philippians 4:4 NASB).
What does this passage mean when it tells us to “rejoice”? The original word in the Greek language that is translated “rejoice” in English means “to experience God’s grace (favor), be conscious (glad) for His grace.”1
When are we to rejoice?
Always. Not just when we are feeling good. Not just when we have everything we think we need. Not just when our relationships are going well. Not based on our circumstances, but all the time.
We are always to be aware that we are experiencing God’s grace and be glad for it. Imagine what life would look like if we were constantly focused on how God is demonstrating His grace toward us every day!
Pray
In Philippians 4:6, we are told not to worry about anything. Instead, we are to pray, giving our requests to God, while also thanking him.
The concept of anxiety is inherent in the meaning of the original word used in this Scripture. We all know that anxiety is distracting!
Our God is waiting to hear about all the things that we are concerned about before we become worried. He wants us to bring all that to Him and make our requests. Instead of our minds and hearts being cluttered, He will guard them with His peace in Jesus.
Notice that He tells us to give thanks. Perhaps this means we are to be thankful that we can give Him the things that trouble us. Perhaps this is an application of Jesus’ teaching when He said, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24 English Standard Version).
The word “received” is past tense. That means it has already been granted. Praying with faith that God has already answered reminds us that God is not bound by time.
Of course all our prayers are to be focused on God’s will being done, and certainly we don’t always know what His will is in a situation. So we are to trust that God has answered the prayer, according to His will, even as we ask.
Asking in faith leads to peace.
Think
He tells us to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and commendable, as well as that which is excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8 NASB).
Our thoughts are either intentional or reactional. We are either thinking about something deliberately or our brains are simply automatically reacting.
The good news is that we can choose to think about something specific. We can choose to think about the things listed in verse 8.
How is your life affected when you choose your thoughts instead of simply letting your mind wander?
Be content
Paul says he was content regardless of his circumstances (verse 11).
Imagine what this would be like!
How did he do this? Paul makes a simple but profound statement in the last sentence of this paragraph. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NASB).
God gave Him the strength. God gives us the strength.
We are not to rely on our own strength, but on His.
Having a joy-filled life
May we rejoice, pray about all our concerns instead of worrying, think about the good things listed in this passage, and be content, knowing that we can rely on God’s strength.
If we are intentional about obeying these Scriptures, how do you think it will affect our lives? Will we be joy-filled?
– Jo Umberger, NLBI VP
Note
You may want to review this link, which has 10 Scriptures about joy.
Reference
1HELPS Word-studies, “chairo'”, Greek 5463, Bible Hub.
Scripture Quotations
Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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