How would you rate your joy? Is your joy index high or low?
Jesus is the foundation of all joy. But, the New Testament also teaches that joy is closely connected to church based relationships. Paul often related his joy index to his relationship with other believers. For example,
Paul encouraged the Philippians to complete his joy by being unified.
He wrote to the Christians in Rome that he was “full of joy” over them.
Paul thanked God for the joy that the Thessalonians gave him and even told them that they were his glory and joy.
Paul wrote to Timothy that he longed to see him so that he would be filled with joy.
And Paul complimented Philemon because he had given Paul great joy.
The Apostle John said, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth (3 John 4)."
If your joy index is low, one of your first steps should be to work harder at connecting with people in a local church. Invite someone over. Join a small group. Meet for coffee. You can find time. Busy schedules that don’t allow us to share one another’s lives rob us of joy.
Hey Chris, just found your blog! In the last few days I’ve been bombarded with this idea of choosing joy. I think God is trying to tell me something…..thanks for the extra push.
Interesting that James tells us to “consider it pure joy” when we encounter trials of various kinds (James 1:3) and then later mentions that some trials can come from within the church (4:1-3, 11).