In Philippians 4 Paul tells his audience, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice!" Christians are to be a joyful people. Given the blessings and hope we have in Christ, we have every reason to be overflowing with joy. But sometimes it isn't that simple. Joy can prove elusive. What is the secret to living life joyfully every day? I think Paul gives the answer in this chapter.
Joy killers
Sometimes I find it instructive to consider the opposite of ideas an author is presenting. In this chapter Paul gives positive exhortations that will naturally lead his readers to more joyful living. When you consider the results of not doing what Paul advises you'll see how these behaviors can kill joy in our lives.
Joy killer #1 -- A Contentious Spirit
In verse 5 Paul exhorts, "Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand." The term gentle here includes the idea of "sweetness of disposition" and "unwillingness to litigate or contend". The opposite of gentleness, then is a contentious spirit. The contentious spirit is always looking for a fight. It is quick to take offense, quick to defend its rights, quick to criticize and condemn others, slow to forgive and slow to forget. A contentious spirit will lead to a smoldering, discontented anger which will surely rob its owner (and many others) of joy.
Joy killer #2 -- Anxiety and worry
In verse 6 Paul says, "Be anxious for nothing". How can we do that? In the rest of the verse he explains, "but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." There are so many things in life we cannot control. Anxiety and worry can easily rob us of your joy. The child of God can take great comfort in the fact that God is in control. We can trust that He cares. He will provide. He sees and understands. If I have a home in heaven, what is there to worry about? In God we can have peace and serenity that transcends our physical circumstances (vs. 7).
Too often our worry is a result of our desire to control things we cannot. I cannot control all the circumstances of life. I cannot control the free-will of others. I cannot determine what tomorrow may bring. I need to cast my cares upon Him and let go of my worry. (I love the superlatives in verse 6 -- "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication...let your requests be made known to God.".)
Joy killer #3 -- Ingratitude
In verse 6 Paul adds a very short parenthetical phrase, "with thanksgiving". This phrase is not an afterthought, but a key to enduring joy. One of the primary keys to joy is contentment and a primary key to contentment is gratitude. Happy people are grateful people. Contented people are grateful people. When we go to God in prayer, we must not merely provide a list of requests, but a list of "thank you's".
Ronald Reagan used to say that he preferred to "view the glass as half-full rather than half-empty". I used to think this was a contrast between optimists and pessimists, and perhaps it is. But I really think it has more to do with gratitude. The person who views his glass as "half-full" is grateful for the blessings he has, rather than focusing on what he does not have. Toward the end of this chapter Paul says he had learned to be content in whatever state he found himself (vs. 10-13). Contentment is not primarily a function of what you have. Rich people can be contented or discontented. Poor people can be contented or discontented. And it isn't just money. A man can be discontented about his talents, his opportunities, his job, his spouse, his church, his brethren, etc. The discontented man is always saying, "If only..." The discontented man is always looking at what others have that he does not. Someone will always have a nicer car, a nicer house, or a better job. For such a man, joy is ever elusive, always just another unfulfilled desire away.
The solution is contentment in and gratitude for what you do have. Do you appreciate the gifts God has given you? If you don't you'll never be happy.
Joy killer #4 -- Negative thinking
In verse 8 and 9 Paul encourages the Philippians to be positive in their thoughts. Focusing on the negative brings about negative attitudes and, ultimately, negative behaviors. We live in a sinful world. Many are spiritually lost and dying. Many have set themselves against the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we are not careful we can fall into the trap of negative thinking like Elijah did (1 Kings 19). We can begin to think "woe is me", "no one cares about God", "no one loves the truth", or "no one will listen to the gospel". Or worse, we can begin to think like the world thinks. We can begin to take on the worldly attitudes of cynicism, greed, envy, jealousy, lust, pride, and strife. We can start to laugh at the world's jokes and start to think sin isn't so bad. These things don't bring peace, contentment or joy.
Focus on the good. Instead of noticing what is wrong, actively look for what is right! When I lived in Atlanta, I was impressed by a habit that Sewell and Caneta Hall had. Whenever they saw something good someone had done they would say, "I appreciate that." They would go out of their way to point it out to others. It was incredibly encouraging. Everybody has flaws, but we can choose to look for their good qualities. We need to make it a habit.
It is probably also a good idea to take a break from the news. One day I was reading vs. 8 and I wondered what the opposite would sound like. It goes something like this,
Finally, brethren, whatever things are false, whatever things are dishonorable, whatever things are wrong, whatever things are perverse, whatever things are ugly, whatever things are of ill repute, if there is any vice, and if there is anything reprehensible -- think on these things.It occurred to me that this is a disturbingly accurate description of most of the content of news broadcasts. For some reason people tend to focus on what is wrong instead of looking for what is right. Paul says we must think on the good. Meditate on it. "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7).
One last comment since I'm on this subject: Preaching the gospel involves convicting the world of sin. We need to teach about the evils of sinful behavior and warn the ungodly of the righteous judgment of God. We can't neglect that part of our preaching and teaching in the name of "being positive". But we need to remember that the gospel of Christ is good news. It is not a gospel of condemnation, but a gospel of grace and peace. Our purpose is to save souls. Protesting the evils of homosexuality at the funerals of fallen soldiers is not going to win a single soul. Insensitively attributing natural disasters to the wrath of God upon a sinful America is not going to save a single soul. Engaging in bitter political protests with inflammatory signs is not consistent with the spirit of Christ. Burning the Koran and other such behaviors is not going to help to reach the lost. God is not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Action plan
Do you want joy? Develop a gentle spirit. Be anxious for nothing. Develop an appreciation and a sincere gratitude for the gifts God has blessed you with. Be content with what you have. Have a positive attitude, looking for the good around you.
Do you want eternal joy? Place your trust in God. Seek Him with your whole heart, search the scriptures, and submit completely to His will. Although we can have joy here on earth, that joy will always be tinged with pain and disappointment. When we reach heaven we will have pure joy without limit and without end.
-PG
