Joy: A New Attitude for a New Year
Joy: A New Attitude for a New Year
Is Joy attainable? I often wonder for myself if it is possible, with a Type A personality, to not be driven but to be relaxed and…well…joyful. You have seen people that have abundance of joy. Or maybe you are one of those people. They are always smiling, they can be found laughing at the oddest things, they see things from a different slant! To be honest, sometimes these types do not seem real! But let me assure you, they are, their joy is real and their joy is contagious. So what is the catch? How do I get there?
Remember Jesus admonishes us in Matthew 18:3, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”. Children are really good at joy! They are less guarded, more open-hearted, less analytical more spontaneous, less worried, more trusting, because of this they are less stressed, and more joyful!
Years ago when going through a difficult time and asking the question “why?” I learned this saying, “Joy is the lesson set for some for others pain best teacher is, we know not which for us should come, but both are heavens high ministries.”
The same thought is reflected in Ecclesiastes 7:13-14, “Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.” I had to check my attitude and choose to think differently.
So here are the lessons I am working on applying to my life as I look at the lives of children and my past experience so that I can live in the Spirit of joy:
Joy is a result of:
Remaining open-hearted “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” 1 Peter 1:8
Spontaneity “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy…” Luke 6:22
A trusting attitude “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him...” Romans 15
Reflecting on Gods word “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart” Psalm 19:8
Considering that God is working even in our troubles. “… but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other: Eccl. 7:13
Choosing to let God rule all areas of our lives “Jesus said, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24
Obedience “Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart” Psalm 97:11
Joy brings strength to our lives. Neh.8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is our strength”. Whatever comes your way in the following year we have the opportunity to choose to be joyful; to have a light hearted approach to the difficulties or unexpected things that may come our way. Really the source of our joy is Jesus. I don’t have it on my own and I don’t know anyone that does. What a gift we have in Jesus! We can take his example and begin the new year with a new attitude.
Hebrews 12:2, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
