Joy for Living

Have you caught yourself thinking or saying, "I would be happy if...?"

"I'd be happy if my bills were paid... if I had a better job... better health... a better husband... a new house or car... an exciting vacation..."

Our list of "if onlys" is endless whenever we base our happiness on ourselves or our circumstances.

The Bible teaches that true joy comes from being in right relationship with God. When we're right with God, we possess an inner strength that enables us to face every situation in life with joy. We possess an inner peace that cannot be affected by the difficulties of life.

King David recognized this long ago when he wrote, "Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing' ...You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence..." (Psalm 16:1,2,11).

The Apostle Paul discovered lasting joy in his relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He wrote, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:12b-13).

Placing our faith in Jesus Christ and surrendering our lives to His control places us in right relationship with God. We're no longer struggling against God and experiencing all the difficulties and heartache that come with our struggling. We're no longer desiring things that cannot satisfy or give us lasting joy. We're no longer blaming others for our circumstances; instead, we're trusting Jesus Christ to meet our needs and give us His joy for living.

Do you need joy for everyday living? Have the pressures and difficulties of life weighed you down until you can barely make it from one day to the next? Stop trying to live life through your own strength and resources. Give your burdens to Jesus as you choose to make Him the Lord of your life.

Jesus declared, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). You were not created to merely exist but to flourish as Christ's resurrection life fills you. Christ's joy is greater than the difficulties you are facing. His joy is more real than your momentary happiness or lingering depression. Christ's joy is real because it flows from the powerful presence of His life literally filling us to the point of overflowing!

You have a choice. You can choose to experience the joy of living as a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ, or you can choose to continue to wallow in your unhappiness and despair. However complicated your life might seem, the choice before you is really this clear and simple.

The Apostle Paul had many reasons to live a joyless and defeated life. He was despised, beaten, persecuted, imprisoned, and eventually martyred. Yet late in his life he could write, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)

If you would like to know more about how you can choose to have true joy through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, click here. We hope you'll take the time to honestly evaluate your spiritual condition. Without faith in Christ, true joy is impossible.

Do you remember the old American Express commercial that urged viewers not to leave home without one of their cards? We can say this about joy. Please don't leave this page without it! It's so much nearer than you imagine.

We hope you'll contact us if you have questions that are not answered on this web site. Just send us an email under the main menu heading on our home page titled, "contact us." We'll respond as soon as we can with specific biblical answers to your questions.