Possessing Joy

A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
--Proverbs 17:22

Some folks try to find joy as if it is something obtained and then put into the heart. The reality is that ‘joy’ is not something received from an external source. A motivational speaker cannot give you joy. Circumstances do not produce joy.

Solomon describes joy as something that resides in the heart. As ‘good medicine’ it has an affect on circumstances, not the other way around. Joy transcends trials, bad circumstances, lost opportunities, negative people, confusion, and uncertainties.

So, the real question is, how do I obtain this kind of joy?

Read the words of King David in Psalm 13. Look for the reality of his distress. Take note of his circumstances. Most of all, look at the strength of his joy and its source.

Psalms 13
How long, O LORD?
   Will You forget me forever?
   How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
   Having sorrow in my heart all the day?
   How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
   Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
And my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
   And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.
But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness;
   My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
   Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

The joyful heart of King David was rooted in his trust in God’s lovingkindness and salvation. His knowledge of God brought about confidence even when his personal circumstances were difficult.

When we try to generate joy by changing our circumstances or by mankind ourselves act joyful, we know intuitively that we do not possess real joy. That kind of joy cannot be sustained without repetitious doses, just like medication that only treats symptoms.

Do you ever act joyful just so people will think you have joy in your life? If so, how long can you keep up the act?
Do you find joy in buying things? If so, how much can you afford? You know you'll have to keep buying, buying, buying!
Is joy found in a hobby or activity? What will happen when you can no longer engage in that activity? Or, when you lose interest?

Manufactured joy is nothing more than an illusion; actually a distraction from reality. In contrast, joy based on the knowledge of the reality of God's love and salvation is real joy and is sustained by faith in the reality of our everlasting God.

Do not fall for illusions. And, how can you identify the illusions? As one person described, “It is like a hot shower. It feels good as long as you are in it, but you cool off quickly as soon as you step out."

A person cannot simply act joyful and expect joy to develop. Joy is not produced by gimmicks and tricks or by a forced change of attitude. Joy is ultimately a result of faith, a result of the Spirit of God.

Joy is found in one’s confidence in God's steadfast love, in His salvation and in His promised blessings.
Anything else is illusion.


Mark Stinnett

Refined

   The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, 
   But the LORD tests hearts.
   --Proverbs 17:3

The refining pot is not used to figure out whether the silver is really silver. Rather, it is used with fire to purify the stuff that is already there (i.e. silver).

The furnace is not used to figure out whether the gold is really gold. Rather, it is used with fire to purify the stuff that is already there (i.e. gold).

The Lord knows your heart, and he purifies by fire what is already there. That means that he challenges our faith and is even willing to bring difficulties into our lives to purify the stuff that is already there.

Life’s difficulties test our hearts, refining what is already there. Life's trials are uncomfortable and can make us feel weak. Yet, when we endure the trials, we can know that God has been cleaning out the stuff that drags us down and makes us weak. He is purifying the good stuff that is already there.

Now, here's an encouraging thought...

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.     --James 1:2-5

God is so wise. He refines his people.
Do you know why a person can find joy in the trials of life?
God is purifying you to be something in the future that is more beautiful and more precious than what you are today. He is transforming you into His likeness!

Wealth or Relationships?

     Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it
     Than a house full of feasting with strife.
     --Proverbs 17:1

When we read the word ‘better’ we automatically recognize that one thing is more beneficial than another. The reader is given a comparison of the value of two things. A choice is presented.

Without knowing specific circumstances, one might reason that it is not really a sin to be in a house full of feasting with strife, but it is NOT better. The word ‘strife’ in this verse indicates complaining, arguing, and even fighting (probably verbally). So, there is nothing ‘wrong’ with a house of feasting (with strife). Of course, the strife part is not good.

We might be tempted to continue meandering around the words until we eventually wash out the meaning of the proverb. Let’s be reasonable; what do you think God expected us to learn by reading this proverb? What kind of response do you think He expects?

The ‘dry morsel’ and ‘feasting’ are contrasting terms that represent a measure of wealth. ‘Quietness’ and ‘strife’ describe human interaction. How often do we think about there being a relationship between wealth and human interaction?

Surely it is better to have plenty of food instead of going hungry. Feasting is better than starving. However, that is not an absolute truth; there are circumstances that might change the way we look at wealth. Solomon advises that if you are placed in circumstances in which you must choose between wealth and peace in human relationships, choose peace.

One might conclude that, in general...

The way you manage your relationships

IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN 

The way you manage your money!

Manage wisely!
Invest in friends and family.
Invest in people.

(As we approach the upcoming whirlwind of holiday fun, feasting and festivities, we would do well to remember that our relationships with friends and family and fellow believers are more important than finances and gifts.)

Untouchable?

Have you ever thought, “It won’t happen to me.” Perhaps that was not your exact thought, but other folks (parents) seem a little overprotective or overly cautious. It is not that you are unaware of dangers in life. In fact, you are aware, keenly aware. You are quite certain that you will not make the same foolish mistakes that others make. You would not take a risk that you knew could really harm you.
"It won’t happen to me."

Some folks have overestimated their physical abilities; underestimated the power of the forces of nature (wind, water, lightening, etc.); or have possibly ignored cold hard facts. Many have taken risks without thinking things through. Are you the type of person who looks ahead and thinks about the future? Do you stop and think about the natural consequences of your choices?

Parents worry about kids. They do not want them to be hurt. They are especially mindful of negative influences in our present society. It is common for kids to think that they can hang with questionable friends and remain unaffected. When you talk to them, they sound as if they are untouchable. Many believe that they will be the good influence on their friends. Their friends will not influence them negatively.

Kids (and many adults) think they can walk with the 'fun' crowd or the rowdy group yet not be influenced by them. They believe they can engage in all sorts of activities and entertainment without being affected by the violence, sex, and illegal or immoral behavior. They have no intention of doing anything wrong themselves, yet they laugh at drunkenness, accept homosexuality as normal, think of faith in God as blind faith or superstition. The friend or movie star with no conscience is idolized.

Among 'friends' sin is funny or inviting or normal or just another point of view. So..."It's OK. I'm not going to get into any of that kind of stuff. We're just friends having fun." Untouchable.

Solomon had a word for the kind of thinking that accepts everyone and everything as if it is all OK: folly. He also had a word for the ‘open-minded’ person who lacks caution (discretion) and does not make wise choices (lacks discernment): fool.

Solomon warned that a person would be better off meeting up with an angry violent mama bear that had been robbed of her cubs, than to meet up with a fool in his folly.

Is anyone so strong that he/she can associate with fools and their folly and come away ‘untouched’? 
Only the fool would think so.

   Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs,
   Rather than a fool in his folly.
   --Proverbs 17:12

Life really doesn't care who you are or what you plan for the future. Do not run with fools; do not participate in folly...not even for a day! You are not untouchable!

Be wise.