Saturday, January 13, 2007

What is joy?



JOY is an attitude, a choice. it is independent to circumstances. it is learning to enjoy each and every moment in spite of problems.


Romans 12:12 says to "Be joyful in hope". Which means, joy is impossible without HOPE.


three things that i commit myself to do:
1. develop a heart of gratitude
2. cultivate joy by giving
3. develop joy through service


like what Ps Khong says about our theme for the year.
1. always give thanks
2. always victorious in Christ
3. always be a blessing


as i look through what i've typed, the last point of being a blessing to others made me pause for a while. if i should develop joy through service, then i will need to learn that being a blessing does not just mean doing something good unto someone and earning that sense of satisfaction for myself.


living joyfully would also mean that i should start to focus more on others and less of myself. so that when i give, i will allow God's blessings to flow to me and through me.


many a time, i start to complain and grumble of the nitty gritty things that comes along the way. thinking why certain things happen and why some other things do not happen. my direction and concerntration in my walk with the Lord drift off every now and then. but only when i TRY to fix my focus back on God, then will i begin to allow myself to comprehend the meaning of rejoicing despite the undesirable encounters.


notice that i used capital letters to emphasize "try". reason being, i fall into this trap many times and have attempted to pick myself up from it once again. of cos, this would mean that there are numerous times where i gave in to the flesh even though i claim to have tried my very best not to.


we all want to experience the inner joy that God wants to give to us. And sometime or another, most of us have experienced this joy. well, i suppose claiming this victory all the time is a learning process.


indeed, joy is an attitude and a choice. Because JOY, is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of the Lord Almighty.


so start living joyfully! :)

she pens down @ 3:28 PM --------------------------------------------------------------