When I went to college, I was excited to be around other Christians who were pursuing degrees. I was not the best witness for Christ in high school and I was looking forward to the chance at a fresh start. I was very quickly disenchanted. I ended up calling my mom in tears most days because I couldn’t believe what was being talked about or what was going on. Students weren’t taking their classes seriously, alcohol was being smuggled onto campus, girls were comparing their “first time,” students were signing out to hotels on the weekends but lying, saying they were going home, etc… I couldn’t believe it. I have made my fair share of bad choices, but the blatant disregard for God and rules dumbfounded me. Everyone wanted to be treated like an adult, but no one wanted the responsibilities of adulthood. I talked to my mom a lot. “This World is Not My Home” became my theme song. I was stewing in this anger, disappointment, and resentment for the students around me. I felt terrible inside and out.
I had been praying (on the advice of my mother) for the Lord to take the anger away. I remember waking up one day and feeling peace the moment I realized that my attitude – no matter what was going on around me – was solely dependent upon me. I had never given any thought to the fact that my bad attitude was just as harmful to my role as a witness for Christ as was the promiscuity and flippancy displayed by my peers. I had to give my worries to God and choose joy everyday. Once I did that, things got a lot better. My relationships with others and with God improved.
Choose joy over arrogance.
There is no real joy when we live as if we are better than others. There is no law from God against good fruit, but there is against pride and conceit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:22-26 NKJV
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV
Choose joy in suffering.
When we choose joy as we are tested in the fire of life we come out stronger and more ready to battle sin than ever before.
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” James 1:2-3 NKJV
“Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” John 16:22 NKJV
“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 NKJV
Choose joy over earthly desires.
Nothing on this earth will satisfy us as wholly and completely as God. In fact, striving after earthy things will take us farther from Him.
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” Romans 12:9-13 NKJV
“Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:16-17 NKJV
“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 NKJV
Choose joy over fear.
God will never forsake us. Any distance we feel between us and Him is our doing. When we choose joy and trust in Him, fear takes a backseat.
“Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 NKJV
“Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.” Psalm 28:7 NKJV
Choosing joy does not mean you forget the wrong that is happening around you. Choosing joy means that we clothe ourselves differently than the world around us. When we choose joy in the face of trials, the world sees us and asks how we can be joyful in such times. When we choose joy instead of arrogance, the world sees a servant willing to help instead of a self-righteous church-goer. When we choose joy over earthly desires, the world sees someone who is joyful and content without vices. I promise that if we all chose joy instead of the myriad of negative emotions we fall into everyday, we would all be much better witnesses for Christ.
Very good!