Joy Is A Choice
When the Apostle Paul was in a Roman prison, he wrote several letters. His prison was no Ritz Hotel, and he was chained to a Roman guard night and day. His freedom robbed, he nevertheless continued on his mission. He opens his letter to the Philippian church by thanking God and praying for them. Then he goes on:
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. … But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
“Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” (Phil. 1:12-19)
Paul was a bigger-picture kind of guy. He chose to look beyond his circumstances, dire though they were, and found joy as a result. He understood it was “because of” his chains and suffering, that others “have become confident in the Lord…” and this was reason enough to rejoice.
We are given the choice too. We have no control over many of the things that happen to us each day. Family, health, financial, weather, and job situations press upon us and weigh us down. In any given moment, we could receive bad news, have an argument, be required to do something seemingly beyond our ability.
In that moment, we have a choice.
We can wallow in the gloom of self-pity, worry, fear, or depression. Or we can ask God for His perspective. In that same letter to the Philippians, Paul shares the secret to finding joy in troubling times:
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. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (Phil. 4:4-9)
“Meditate on these things…” Paul says. We don’t realize it, but we meditate all the time. Our brains never stop. The word “meditate” comes from the word “ruminate.” Rumination is a process where cows and other “ruminants” soften their food in one part of the stomach, and then regurgitate the “cud” back and forth until fully digested. Gross, yes? Sorry 😉 Webster’s definition of ruminate is:
1. to chew repeatedly for an extended period
2. to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly
Synonyms include: meditate – reflect – muse – ponder – contemplate
This process is the same whether it’s worship or worry. Worry is life-sucking meditation on the negative. Paul tells us what to meditate on: what’s true, noble, just, pure, lovely, things of good report, virtuous and praise-worthy things.
When a dear friend was going through a terrible time, she started a list. Using this Scripture, she decided to list verses that stated what was true, noble, just, etc. She never got past “true.” Her truth list was comprehensive enough for her to rewire her brain to meditate on the truth of God’s unfailing love, His hope-filled plans for her, His never-ending compassion, His mercy, His trust-worthiness, His peace that passes understanding.
So my friend what are you chewing on?
So true, Susan. We do have a choice, we can feel sorry for our situation, or we can see it as an opportunity to grow closer to God.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.
This is good Susan. For the past few years, life has been very challenging and not what I anticipated. However, God is so good. He is using these challenges to teach me to trust Him.
Really good post.