“…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NASB 95
How We Can Choose Joy In Our Lives No Matter What
- Defy your difficult circumstances through His promises
“ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:10-11 NIV
“We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.” 2 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT
To Have Defiant Joy
- We need to have a real hope
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2 NKJV
- We need to know that God has a purpose in every circumstance
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” Romans 5:3-4 NLT
- We need to believe that He is always with us
“So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” Romans 5:11 NLT
- Delight yourself in the Lord daily
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 NIV
“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NLT
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 NIV
- Determine to have an attitude of gratitude
“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
- Demonstrate Jesus by pursuing joy in the joy of others
“You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 NLT (Hebrews 12:2)
- Giving
- Serving
- Sharing