Flipbooks

Who is the most joy-filled person in your life? Do their life circumstances give them reason for joy? Do they tell the best stories about their vacations? Have a loving, close-knit family? Seem totally content at their job? They might. But more often than not, I witness people who have joy despite the bad or the good that happens to them— and both happen. Author Deb Burma provides a helpful distinction about joy. She writes, "Happiness is a feeling that depends upon circumstances; joy is a fruit of the Spirit that's ours by faith despite our circumstances," (Joy: A Study of Philippians, p. 92). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit that's planted in us in our Baptism and flourishes through us as we're connected to Jesus' vine. While happiness is a result of circumstances, joy is a gift of faith. And joy does require faith. My favorite passage on joy is Philippians 4. In it, we learn from Paul that joy comes when we focus on what God provides and we entrust every anxiety to the cross. Paul exhorts the Christians at Philippi to "Rejoice in the Lord always." He says it again, "Rejoice!" This emphasis on rejoicing, or having joy, comes alongside instruction to pray in all circumstances, to be thankful, and to cul- tivate a mindset that thinks on certain things. Paul pairs joy with peace and contentment that he can find in any circumstance (see Philippians 4:4–7). If Paul was focused only on his circumstances, joy wouldn't be the outcome. He wouldn't make our list of people who seem like they should be content. He couldn't boast of his travels for the Gospel—he was often run- ning for his life. As a single man, he didn't experience the intimacy of marriage or thrills of parenthood. And rather than receiving recognition and accolades for his evange- listic labors, he experienced persecution. But Paul found that connection to Jesus through prayer and thanksgiving leads to a peace that's beyond our understanding and a joy that cannot be shaken. Paul explains that joy increases by thinking about what- ever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, or praiseworthy (see Philippians 4:8). It comes when we're committed to seeing more reasons to give thanks than excuses to grumble. It comes when we stop to acknowledge the Provider of each good gift rather than just expecting the provision. It comes when we pause in the midst of what's hard and trust God to be God. Yes, joy is a gift of faith. The author of Hebrews tells us that it's joy that enabled Jesus to endure the cross. "For the joy that was set before Him [He] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus still despised the shame, He still mourned the betrayal, He still suffered the pain of dying. And yet for the joy set before Him, He endured. And through His death, we can experience a life of joy. What a lovely thought for us to think on. What looks like death in your life today? Where is the ground so dry you're sure there's no way joy could bloom? Joy doesn't depend on circumstances. And joy doesn't ask you to pretend the sadness and pain aren't there, to cover up or hide what is hard. Joy is from Jesus, and He is strong enough to sit with you in the hurt because He Himself endured the cross, despising the shame so that in joy, you may be connected to Him. Maybe today all that feels possible is a seedling of joy. And maybe that's enough. Jesus promises to be with you always and gives joy. Ask Him for joy today. • Deb Burma, Joy: A Study of Philippians (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2019), p. 92. think about these things Practice cultivating joy by listing three to five answers for each category Paul lists in Philippians 4:8: • Whatever is true: • Whatever is honorable: • Whatever is just: • Whatever is pure: • Whatever is lovely: • Whatever is commendable: • If there is any excellence: • If there is anything worthy of praise: Continue this practice for the next seven days. Do you feel more or less joy than before you began? GOING FURTHER: What would it look like to focus this exercise on a specific area of life, especially an area where you'd like more joy? Your family, a key relation- ship, at work, with your church? For eight weeks, study the joy of Paul's Letter to the Philippians in this Bible study. Each session is flexible, making it perfect for groups and individuals. Find this title and others in this issue at cph.org. JOY: A STUDY OF PHILIPPIANS Lutheran Life 11

• Cover