The Glad Game Vs. Joyfilled Lives by Dee
I'd venture to say that each of us probably knows the story of Pollyanna, how she always seemed to have a spirit of happiness inside her and that she inspired other people to let loose the things of the world that were making them unhappy. The gist of the story is that we should always try to be glad about something in whatever situation we're in.
I honestly think that though this story has a Christian element woven throughout, that the story itself is not meant to be a Christian story. And if it is, I would have to admit that I don't exactly agree with the moral of the story.
The more we say "at least" this or "at least" that, the more we're not actually cultivating true joy in our lives. We're only bemoaning our situations by griping about the fact that "at least" we have this, when in reality we're not grateful for what we have and we're wishing for something else. It encourages us to be grateful and joyful only when there's something to be happy about, when, as Christians, we should be happy in every circumstance.
Most Christians struggle with having true, abiding joy that completely affects their lives and how they live them. I know from personal experience that joy is not often easy to have, especially when the many things of life invade.
The Bible has many examples of joy, from the Israelites singing and dancing with joy, to joyfilled psalms, to the greetings of joy given in the epistles. Psalm 100 is especially known for the joy expressed within it.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His steadfast love to all generations. -Psalm 100
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. -Psalm 67:4
All the psalms that express joy to the Lord connect it with praise, dancing, and singing. It appears that the Author of these psalms wants us to realize that we cannot find true joy except through praising Him and His holy name.
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. -1 Peter 1:8
This verse carries on the meaning and expressing of joy found in the psalms, that rejoicing in the Lord cultivates joy. We likewise ought to and need to actively rejoice in the Lord and receive the joy that is freely given to those who are our Lord's beloved.
I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy. -2 Corinthians 7:4
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. -2 Corinthians 8:1-2
A concept is introduced through these two verses in 2 Corinthians: that joy is possible through suffering. Paul is the ultimate New Testament sufferer; his trials are well-known. He of all people should know that it is possible to have joy even in the midst of suffering.
Because of this, we need to realize that it is completely possible to have joy in any and every situation. So instead of having joy only when there's something to be joyful about, we should be joyful in every circumstance, whether in plenty or want, in peace or suffering.
I challenge you today to really rejoice in your Savior, to really be joyful in Him, and to live a joyfilled life like He desires of His followers.
