The Responsibility of Joy

Read Romans 8

Your alarm didn’t go off, or you didn’t hear it. The toaster burnt the toast. The dresser moved in the night so that you would stub your toe. Someone broke into your garage and only turned your car lights on so the battery was dead. You were late for work because of the traffic, or was it because you ran through the coffee shop? Sound familiar? We’ve all had days like these.
Some have had much worse. No pillow to lay there head to rest the night before. They awoke to a gnawing in their stomach with no hope because their cupboards are bare. The child curled up in the corner of the bedroom afraid to come out because of an abusive parent.
Most of us don't choose a difficult life--it chooses us. We can, however, choose our response to it. As someone once said, "Pain is inevitable but misery is optional." Yet, when difficulties arise, misery often seems to be the only option.
Author Lloyd Ogilvie tells of a Christian friend who was physically and emotionally depleted because of extreme pressures. A depressed mood engulfed him. When Ogilvie asked him how he was doing, he said grimly, "Well, joy's certainly no option!" Ogilvie replied, "You're right! Joy is no option. It's your responsibility."
Shocked, the friend retorted, "You talk about joy as if it were a duty." Ogilvie responded, "Right again!" He explained that we have a duty to God, ourselves, and others to overcome our moods and to battle through to joy.
In Romans 5, Paul gave these reasons for joy: We have peace with God through Christ, access into grace, and hope of future glory. We have assurance that tribulation produces perseverance, which in turn builds character and leads to hope. We have hope that doesn't disappoint, because God's love has been poured into our hearts.
He also wrote in Philippians 4:8 to think on the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, virtue and praise. It is promised in that passage that if you will do this, the God of peace shall be with you (verse 9).
Remember, for the Christian, joy is a not a choice, it is a responsibility.

“The real end of prayer is not so much to get this or that single desire granted, as to put human life into full and joyful conformity with the will of God.”
- Charles Bent