Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Lasting joy

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:4-8

Many people confuse joy with happiness. I used to teach this concept to kids in children’s church by writing this phrase on the dry erase board: “Happiness is based on what happens.” Godly joy, on the other hand, endures no matter what happens. Like love, joy is a fruit of the spirit that is activated by God through our obedience. The joy of the Lord is strength for the believer (Neh. 8:10). It sustains them when they face trials because they understand that they share in Christ’s sufferings who, “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross” (2 Cor. 4:8-10, Hebrews 12:2b).

Paul’s life was an awesome testimony of sustaining joy. He faced beatings, stoning, imprisonment, shipwrecks and hunger, yet he adamantly admonished the Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again, I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). He went on to say that they should refrain from anxiousness by bringing all their requests to God through prayer and thanksgiving, which would bring peace to guard their hearts and minds (4:6-7). Then he told them to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy (4:8).

Philippians 4:4-8 is a great strategy for how a Christian should maintain joy, and it is something that I must actively remind myself to do daily as I follow God’s calling on my life. I would be lying if I said I was always successful at this, but the grace of God is a profound gift in our failings and urges us to push forward. With Philippians 4:4-8 in mind, we can pray that the Lord will make us more aware of the joy-killers in our lives like complaining and worry. When those things start to get us down, we can bring those cares before the Father in prayer, knowing that he truly cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7). We can make more of an effort to think on virtuous things rather than wasting countless hours watching or scrolling through content that thrives on gossip, fear, violence and other unholy behaviors.

We can spend more time listening to uplifting music and singing worship songs, being thankful for all the blessings God has given us in his redeeming love through Jesus Christ.

What is killing your joy today? Follow Paul’s strategy in Philippians 4:4-8 and I guarantee that you will begin to feel a lasting joy that remains even when life brings unhappy situations.