I Love that Song!

I don’t know about you, but I just love that song! Someone defined JOY as a deep, abiding sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that flows from a relationship with Jesus Christ. As a child of the King, it is my birthright. It was purchased for me by Jesus Christ. Truly, it is something we all desire…. But unfortunately, we don’t always experience it. So many times, instead of JOY, we feel restless, unhappy, vaguely dissatisfied.

What Gets in the Way of Joy?

At a recent Shepherding Group, I shared one of the big reasons we don’t experienced JOY. Even, when Paul writes in Philippians chapter 4, “rejoice in the Lord always”, we find ourselves restless and unhappy. Something is getting in the way. It’s a “joy-killer”. It is DISCONTENTMENT.

Discontentment tends to manifest itself in grumbling and complaining. Our focus appears to be on problems, difficulties, and disappointments. Truthfully, discontentment betrays a lack of trust, a lack of faith, and unwillingness to submit to God’s management of our lives. It says, in effect, “God, you don’t know what you are doing. You’re blowing it. I can run this show better than you can.” May I suggest that discontentment also reveals a deep ingratitude for God’s blessings.

How Can I be Content?

Bottom Line: How can I be content? How can I submit to and delight in God’s care in every situation? 1) GIVE THANKS for what you have instead of dwelling on what you don’t have. 2) Seek after that which is eternal, rather than what is temporary.

CHURCH… may God help us all to be JOYFUL, CONTENTED people with our hearts set on things above and not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-4 – “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

May God bless us all abundantly!