Joy and Gratitude (Joy starts here)

Joy and Gratitude (Joy starts here!)

Today’s focus word is ‘Joy and Gratitude.’
May the joy and gratitude of God fill each and every individual, home and church …. amen! Declare it – My heart is full of joy and gratitude!
Phil 4.4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Declaration: I rejoice in every blessing today; thanksgiving keeps my heart open to more of God.

Points to ponder:
Joy is rooted in the Lord, not in circumstances.
The foundation of my joy is in the Lord and not my circumstances. Paul instructs us in Phil 4.4 to rejoice in the Lord.

Biblically, joy is not based on changing situations but on an unchanging God. It is possible to find joy in the Lord always. For example, someone who has failed in the exams -  grief of failure, fear of being a loser, fear of facing people engulfs the person. A painful situation; yet it is still possible to be joyful in the Lord because the individual may have failed in the exam but not in life! The conviction that my God keeps me in all circumstances enables me to sing and praise God and be joyful.
Habakkuk 3.17-18 says, “Even when everything fails, yet I will rejoice.” A vine orchard may not bloom in spite of all the hard work. Or a farm maybe devoid of cattle in spite of the tender care given to the livestock. No figs on fig tree, no yield from field, all business gone – wasted years of hard work… may even contemplate the worst course of action.…. still he does not say that or go there. He says……still I will rejoice in the Lord!

Ps 16.11 states that in your presence there is fullness of joy.
Neh 8.10 says, “….. the joy of the Lord is your strength.” My joy is in the joy of the Lord! Challenges at work place, business, in the family; yet I will not chase joy in these. My joy is in the joy of the Lord.

Joy is a decision, not just a feeling!
We do have moments or feelings of joy for sure. But real joy is a decision. Paul repeatedly says, “….. and again I say: Rejoice in the Lord!” It is very important and confidence arises from understanding it. Know that all circumstances are temporary and the joy from such are fleeting.

Joy is intentional and is created. Ps 118.24 – ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.’ This is my decision now – to rejoice. Col 3.15 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts …..” 1Thes 5.16 says, ‘Rejoice always.’ There may not always be opportunity to rejoice; rather a lot of reasons to be sad about. In my childhood, I would look for reasons to be unhappy. But once I learned to be joyous in the Lord – I do not look to my situations but rejoice in the Lord. It was my choice. 1Thes 5.16 reminds us – “Rejoice always!” If you train yourself to rejoice in the Lord; then you will make progress in life. Choosing joy daily, will keep your inner life in tune with God.

Gratitude unlocks continuous joy.
Gratitude releases a flow of joy in our lives as both are deeply connected. An unthankful heart can never be happy. A thankful heart is overflowing with joy!
I have observed some of the elderly speaking of being alone with no one to inquire about them; illness, woes etc.. But there are those whose presence is an encouragement to us. They speak of God’s goodness; faithfulness through the years and cared for by the children and grandchildren and have no complaints about their kids even if they don’t visit understanding their problems. They depend on God’s care and contemplate if they are worthy of it? Some elderly have this kind of mentality. There are some who are grateful while others fill their hearts with complaints.

Thankfulness has a quality – it shifts its focus from what is lacking to what God has done! An unthankful heart has plenty of reason to grumble – a lot of negativity! Give them an exercise to list all the good things (atleast 15) God has done in their lives. Writing brings about a deliverance, the person becomes free.
1Thes 5.18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; …..”

Ps 103.2 says, “…. Forget not all his benefits.”
Col 3.17 reminds us – give thanks in everything.

We get to see two types of people – some choose to thank God for all that is there while others choose to grumble/complain for what is not there especially in the matters of food.
When Nehemiah and Emie were small, I would pick each food on the plate and tell them it’s good. They got a cake on my birthday, with a flag which said ‘it is good!’ When we learn to see good in everything, it is good for us and others too. Gratitude transforms how we experience life. If we don’t learn to see good, our lives will be filled with bitterness.
A change of perspective brings about a change in our experiences.
Joy and Gratitude strengthens the inner life.

David’s life, Jesus’ life – giving thanks to God for the bread. Psalm 103 written by David is a psalm of gratitude. Decide now to have a heart of gratitude.
Joy is not a weakness; it is a strength.
Gratitude builds resilience and stability in the heart. Isa 61.3 speaks of a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Remove the garment of despair. Develop a heart of thankfulness. Wear the garment of praise!

Rom 15.13 speaks of being  filled with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.
Ps. 28.7 says, “…. my heart leaps for joy …..”

Speaking of joy and gratitude, a thought comes to mind. Some equipments like our mobile have internal battery. Once charged, it runs for hours or days with that internal power supply. Because of which one does not have to depend on the external supply frequently. This internal supply can be related to Joy and Gratitude. If our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude, there is a constant supply to our inner life. An external counselling would not be needed. Decide to be filled with joy and live joyous, as well as to be filled with gratitude.
Share your experience of how you built your heart with gratitude. You may have been a complaint box earlier but your situation made you focus on Gratitude and Joy. Share your experience so that it becomes a lesson for others.