How to Find Joy in ANY situation

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photo by jack fussell

Joy in any situation.  Really?  You’ve met those annoying people.  Happy.  All.  The.  Time.  They drive me crazy.  Have these people ever experiences difficulty?  It’s hard to have joy in the middle of strained relationships, economic challenges, health issues, and so much more.  I will have joy, but I will have it once the problems are solved.  Great plan. Except that the problems will not stop coming.  Seems like we are going to have to learn how to have joy DURING the trouble.  The Apostle Paul writes to a young church saying, Rejoice always, . . . give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thess 5:16,18

Rejoice always?  Is that even possible?  Yes.  Highly possible.  We can find joy in any situation.  All we have to do is count.

1.  Count your blessings.  Just like Mama said.  I suggest keeping a running list of the ways God has blessed you.  The more we focus on the blessings the greater our joy.

2 Praise the Lord, my soul,and forget not all his benefits 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. – Ps 103

2.  Count the reward

We often speak of counting the cost.  If you are going to count the cost, you have to count the reward.  In Matthew 10, Jesus said You will be hated by everyone because of me [COST] , but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved [REWARD]. Mt 10:22

Here is another:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away [COST], yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day [REWARD]. 17 For our light and momentary troubles [COST] are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all [REWARD].l. -2 Cor 4:16-17

3.  Count yourself worthy

The Apostles were in a jam.  The had been preaching and not all were happy with their message.  The religious leaders were violently opposed.  They threw the Apostles in jail and beat them.  Upon their release, they had an interesting response.  The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. – Acts 5:41

The Apostles found joy because they knew that God thought enough of them to let them experience difficulty.  That might not make sense, but follow me.  Whatever happens is no secret to God.  For some reason he has allowed it to happen.  While we may never know why he is allowing your struggle, you can take heart in knowing this: he thinks you can handle it.  You are worthy of the challenge.  Your Father says so.  God may be saying to you,“I wouldn’t give you the challenge if I didn’t think you were worthy enough to handle it.”

If you Father thinks you can handle it, you can handle it.  Chin up.  Shoulders back.  He believes in you.  Count yourself worthy. Feel the joy rising.

4.   Count on God to come through

Because our enemy wants to rob us of joy, he wants us to believe that God will not come through.  Wrong.  I have read the last chapter of the book and regardless of interpretations, one thing is clear: God wins.  He is a God who comes though both in the end and during our struggles.  He is present, and if he is present, he will come through.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. – Phil 4

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deut 3:6

I say it is time to walk with a swagger.  I’m tired of waiting for everything to be perfect in order to have some joy.  It is time to rejoice always.  And in doing so, the journey becomes all the sweeter.

Click here for a full (and fun) video teaching on How to Find Joy in ANY Situation.

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Counting our way to joy with a little help from the Count.

What else would you add to the list?  Comment below.

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