Let's not allow circumstances to dictate our lives

The Joy of the Lord

The word “joy” is used many times in the Bible. Those who walk with Christ will experience joy. In fact, joy is one of several characteristics which, together, are known as the fruit of the Spirit. In other words, joy is a result of the work of the Holy Spirit in us.

The Apostle Paul offered a prayer which is recorded in the book of Romans chapter 15, vs. 13. Here is what it says: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

The joy being described in this passage is not referring to a type of temporary, circumstance-dependent happiness in which we are rolling on the floor laughing because the external conditions happen to be just right. This joy is a prevailing sense of cheerfulness in the heart. In the Greek lexicon part of the description of the word is “calm delight.”

This joy involves an inner peace which would remain with a person even in the midst of difficulty. And, so, we can find this joy—believe it or not—being mentioned in a verse which deals with the troubles life may bring: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:2&3.

If a joyful state of mind is dependent upon a continuous series of happy circumstances we will frequently be disappointed and real joy will tend to elude us. On the other hand, if a joyful state of mind is based on the assurance of God and the hope we have in Him then we can experience joy in the midst of any circumstances.

Please understand, I am not claiming this truth has been perfected in me. But I have seen people live this truth, I trust God, and I write about it because in attempting to express and explain it, I hope to understand it better and to experience it more fully.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Peter 5:16-18

Peace Can Be Rooted In Something Stable and Unchanging

The sense of peace and contentment we experience in life does not have to be circumstance dependent.  It can be rooted in something stable and unchanging.  It can be rooted in the goodness, strength, sufficiency and presence of Christ.

Our Response To Circumstances

Writing about his experience in a Nazi concentration camp, Viktor Frankl says, “In spite of all the enforced physical and mental primitiveness of the life in a concentration camp, it was possible for spiritual life to deepen.” This reminds us that it is not our circumstances that determine whether we grow spiritually, it is how we respond to our circumstances.