What in the world is James talking about?
Consider it joy when times are tough, when everything seems to be against me, when I am struggling? What is that all about? It sounds like some kind of masochistic mantra from a back alley fight club. Paul had the same thought in Romans 5:3 (we also rejoice in our sufferings . . .). Who were these guys and just what were they smoking? How am I supposed to be happy in the midst of pain?
I'm not. Neither are you.
Joy is not happiness.
Happiness is about living in the moment. It is a response to the current environment and situation. Being happy is a reactive emotion--it's all about what I'm feeling now. Happiness is narrow minded--it takes into consideration neither the past nor the future. Being happy lasts only as long as the right conditions are there; once things go south, happiness goes bye-bye.
Joy isn't like that. Joy is an acquired emotion, not a reactive one. Joy doesn't depend on the environment or the situation--joy is all about attitude. It looks beyond the present into both the past and the future and anticipates something great and wonderful--even in the midst of despair. Joy can exist in the middle of the worst situations because joy isn't only about the now. Happiness dissolves in the face of trial like the sun burns away fog; joy doesn't.
Let James and Paul explain.
Both of these guys understood the difference between joy and happiness. James said we should consider it joy when we face trials because . . . Because we know that the testing of our faith develops perseverance, and it is through that perseverance that we mature in our faith.
Paul and his companions could say they rejoiced in their sufferings because they knew that suffering produces perseverance, which leads to character, which leads to hope.
Both of these men understood that, unlike happiness, joy is not about instant gratification. Happiness is an island; joy is a river. An island is a fixed point, affected by what is around it. Joy flows and affects everything it touches. Happiness cannot go with you; joy can take you where you want to be.
Joy is a gift and a choice.
Joy is one of the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22). It is something that comes from God as the result of living by faith. Joy is the result, not of our immediate circumstances, but rather our relationship with God. Because joy looks forward, it sees beyond the immediate. If we truly have our eyes fixed upon Jesus, we will have joy. It is a product of a Spirit filled life.
Joy is also a choice in that how we live determines if we live by the Spirit, or our sinful natures (Galatians 5:17). Depending on which we choose, we will either reap the fruits of the Spirit, or the fruits of the sinful nature. Read Galatians 5:19-21 and then 22-23. Which list sounds better to you?
How can you consider it joy when life is hard? It's pretty easy, really. Live for God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Look forward, beyond whatever you're going through right now. This life is temporary; there is eternity to come. If that eternity is with God, the worst this world has to offer is nothing in comparison.
It's up to you.
You get to decide. You can live your life hopping from island of happiness to island of happiness, with depths of despair in between, or you can ride the river of joy, looking forward and over the swells and valleys this world will send your way.
I know which I choose.
I choose joy.
No comments:
Post a Comment