Joy might be the most important ingredient for an abundant life in Christ, yet it’s the one we lose most easily. I should know. I lost mine at the mini-mart last Thursday.
I’d hoped to make a lightning-quick convenience store run to pick up a few items I needed. As I zoomed my cart up to the check out, the woman in front of me was just paying for her order. “Perfect,” I thought. “I’ll be out of here in no time.”
However, the lady then asked for cigarettes. She got out a bank card to pay for them, but the machine wouldn’t take it. The checker proceeded to just wait. Five minutes turned into fifteen as he kept trying her card. Only one register was working, so other customers lined up behind me.
I’d love to say I stayed calm and kept smiling, but instead I started fuming. I let thoughts like these occupy my mind: Why doesn’t he wait on the rest of us before trying her card again? Why don’t they open another register?
Ten minutes later, I huffed out of the mini-mart. I’d left my joy behind somewhere between the candy and the batteries at the check-out line.
I bet you’ve experienced similar hassles.
The automatic teller machine eats your bank card. Your flight is late. Your kids fight. You burn dinner. Of course these are minor trials, but irritations like these can threaten to ruin our days if we let them.
Just like we do, the apostle Paul must have experienced minor annoyances as well as more serious life challenges. In fact he penned this bit of advice from a Roman jail. It’s as fresh today as when he wrote it 2000 years ago:
Philippians 4:4-5
More powerful than dynamite, this one little verse contains three secrets to hanging on to joy:
1. Rejoice in the Lord
Even in the waiting room at the doctor’s office, we have reasons to rejoice if we look to the Lord and remember all He’s done. Choosing to count God’s kindnesses instead of complaining can turn a bad day around when things go wrong. No matter what happens today, you have reasons to give thanks. If you’ve put your faith in Christ, you’re deeply loved, completely accepted, and fully forgiven.
2. Let your gentleness be evident to all
Maybe nothing steals our joy quite like encounters with problematic people. You know them. They’re the ones like me in line at mini-mart: tired and grumpy. It’s counter-intuitive, but gentleness can be our strongest weapon for diffusing blow-ups with difficult people. When the heat is on, a gentle word and a firm refusal to take offense can cool us down and calm the atmosphere. What if we made an extra effort to be gentle the next time our kids fight or when that person at work gets on our nerves?
3. Remember the Lord is near.
What comfort it brings to remember that God is near to us whether we’re waiting at the auto repair shop or at the funeral home. In His presence is fullness of joy. We can rest secure knowing that no matter what comes across our path, God is just a prayer a way. He’s got you covered, and He’ll respond quicker than you can call.
No matter what difficulties or irritations we stumble upon today, let’s look to the Lord for reasons to rejoice. Breathe deep and let your gentleness shine. Remember God is with you.
Now it’s your turn. What helps you hang on to joy during life’s little irritations?
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I have a feeling I’m going to need these wise words today, friend. That’s a little bit of a scary thing to think before 6 am…. Thanks for these pointers! I’ll do my best to keep joy in my heart through all my challenges today! XO
Oh, I hope you don’t need them too badly! Yes, scary at 6 a.m.! But then again I probably need these words any day. 🙂
I’m struggling with some difficult times and your words are salve for my tender spots. Thank you, friend. xo
Oh, I’m sorry to hear this, Carmen. Praying for you now, friend.
I have been that person in the store who started tapping my foot, sighing loudly and standing with arms crossed to show my discontent. Ha! It got me nowhere but instead mad me miserable. Joy can make our day but it can be robbed of us in mere seconds. Thank you for pointing us back to rejoicing in the Lord!
Oh Mary, you’re making me laugh because I’ve been that person too! You’re helping me see how that really does get us NO WHERE. Real fast, too. 🙂
“I lost mine at the mini-mart last Thursday.” Cue the burst of laughter. I love the window right into your world, Betsy. It’s so true! And it’s so crazy easy to lose joy. Good tips that I’ll keep in front of me, friend.
Thanks, Kristi. 🙂 Yep. This is my world. Thanks for your encouragement.
Sigh. I sat in the drive up lane at my bank yesterday going through all the stages of frustration, and completely forgetting that I’m really not in charge of the universe.
Thanks for unpacking the truth from that tiny portion of Scripture!
Right? I forget it all the time. I’m not in charge of the universe either. 🙂
I’ve been studying these passages for speaking events. How fun to read what God has shown you. Loved this, Betsy!
Thanks so much for reading, Ginger. I wish I could hear you speak on this!
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT. Thanks, Betsy. Sometimes letting our joy be stolen is actually a choice on our part.
Yes, you’re right, Jeannie. I think choice is often involved. Although I try to tell myself it just “happened” to me. 🙂
It is easy to let those little things steal our joy. It is important to remember we have to make a choice to rejoice. Paul is such a great example of remaining joyful in all kinds of difficult circumstances.
Yes, he is a great example. He’s one of my heroes. 🙂
Three is exactly what my heart needed today. Thanks, sweet friend. XO
Oh I’ve been there multiple times. Saturday’s baby shower and we got s t u c k in road construction traffic with a long wait. Honestly, in the scheme of life, those little things are little things! I need to remember my perspective for sure.
Oh gosh! I hate those things about being late and it’s beyond your control. Just on Monday I was stuck in a 45 minute long Ankara bus ride (after a 25 minute wait for it to come) and I was late to an appointment. I just willed myself not to look at my phone and fret over how I was going to be late. Nothing kills joy like fretting! It’s all about perspective…
Betsy, just today driving back from work I was sharing with a friend how much we need to remember to live as daughters of God. Your words are very encouraging and also an important reminder of where my focus must be. Thank you for being so transparent and vulnerable to be able to encourage us.
Oh thanks for your lovely words of encouragement, Adriana. I so appreciate you.
It never fails – I find myself in the line where the receipt paper needs replacing, the person in front has a gazillion coupons – and I’ve come to understand that God knows these situations challenge my joy. He’s been teaching to find the joy in the wait for a while now, so I become more rueful than irritated – and God right beside me and I know it’s a lesson I’m learning. I need to learn to keep my joy in a car now! Thank you for the encouraging reminder to keep aiming for joy!
Yes, it’s so true. I always get in that line too! Recently I was in line and a dear checker cut her hand and bled on some things! Kind of scary. But yes, God is right beside us everywhere, EVEN IN THE CAR! 🙂
Betsy,
My motto as of late is….”Replace grumbling with gratitude.” When I feel myself starting to complain and grumble, it’s a red flag for me to begin being thankful and thanking God with heartfelt gratitude for the needs He has met, the good things He’s given me…I need only take a short glance around and I can find things to be grateful for. Prayers needed as I continue to try to replace my grumbling with gratitude.
Blessings,
Bev xx
And there are those seasons where joy holds on to us, stays firm in our souls, gives fuel for the journey. It’s all ours as a fruit of the Spirit, even as the winds blow hard and threaten to throw us off course.
How blessed are we that He never leaves, never changes, is always available …
Yes, Linda. We are, indeed, blessed that He never leaves. He’s always willing to renew joy.
Great message here! Joy is so essential and it doesn’t have to waver with our circumstances. Thank you for this powerful guide to hold onto joy no matter what’s happening!
Thanks, Nicole. May the Lord renew your joy each day!
Oh thank you Betsy-I needed these words today! Yes, let’s rejoice, be gentle and ever trust our Lord is near. Salve for my soul today!
Yes to rejoicing and being gentle! I want that too. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your story and encouragement! It is so easy for us to loose our joy – over the silliest things! This has happened to me more times than I can count! Thank God for His grace and for Philippians!
Yes, Patricia! Thank God for grace and for Philippians. I’m often tempted to loose my joy, and these verses help me so much.
Betsy, it is only because of No. 3 that I can live out No. 2. But there is power in responding with gentleness. Thank you for the reminder for my heart, sweet friend.
Thank you, Betsy, for these encouraging words. It’s certainly true for me that the “minor annoyances” of my day can be the trigger for major reactions! I love these words from Philippines and your gracious reminder. Blessings!
Thanks for reading today, Deborah. Happy Easter to you.
What a great reminder. Thanks for sharing these encouraging words. I find myself in those situations more often than I would like to admit.
Oh me too, Heather. I guess we both understand how easy it is to lose joy. Let’s hold on tight to Christ!
Yes, joy is easy to slip, and fly away, the continual dealing with everyday stressors and then to get the ” my voices are back” from my son just makes joy hard. On those days I count and rely on the bank of prayer warriors, who send up prayers when I can’t and I am blessed that they drop and pray and the He leans down and listens.
Oh I”m so sorry, Debbie, about your son. Praying for you now, friend. May the Lord’s hand of healing be over your son. Strength and peace for you.
Wonderful reminder. I find it easy to lose my joy when my focus is not on the Lord. Thank you so much for sharing. Please add me to Faith Spilling Over.
Thank you and have a blessed Resurrection Day.
Thanks so much, Cindy. I appreciate your encouragement. Happy Easter!
Just finding your feature at arabah joy’s link up today– surely I could have used your wise words last week! And it’s the second time today that “gentle” has popped up and hit me between the eyes in my bible readings…. think I have some praying to do over that fruit. Thanks Betsy ♥
Thanks for the reminders in joy. It really is often the first thing we hand away when we get stressed and irritated and angry. This post reminded me of what I just read in a book this week. It said we are created for community with God and others and joy. Joy with God and others. Joy and community. Two things, but two things that easily slip from our grasp.
It’s true, Theresa, that it’s often the FIRST thing to go. Sounds like an interesting book you’re reading. I try to remember that joy is both a gift of God AND a fruit of the Spirit.
It’s true, Theresa, that it’s often the FIRST thing to go. Sounds like an interesting book you’re reading. I try to remember that joy is both a gift of God AND a fruit of the Spirit.
I think I was in line behind you!!
speaking on joy and faith in Oct at a retreat – will add this to my resources – thanks, Betsy!
Hahah! You’re cracking me up about being in line behind me! Grace on your preparation for speaking, Sue. May God use you greatly.
These are great suggestions! I especially love the second one about gentleness. I have found that being gentle, calm and soft spoken in the midst of a tense situation can not only keep my from getting upset, but it also diffuses the aggression of the other person or persons as well. Blessed are the meek!
Yes, you are so right, Summer! Gentleness diffuses anger and irritability, in me and in the other person. 🙂
Betsy- thank you for this reminder! My joy is fleeting too, so your tips will be helpful to combat my ugliness.
Happy Easter!
Grace&Truth
Oh thanks, Julie. I get the uglies all the time myself. His joy helps us combat that, doesn’t it?
Thank you so much for sharing! I let minor annoyances get to me. All. The. Time. I’m going to remember this verse the next time!
I know what you mean about those minor annoyances. I do it too. Trying to remember to let my gentleness be known. 🙂
Great post – and so true! It’s vital to hold onto our joy – because the joy of the LORD is our strength! Thank you for sharing!