Charles Swindoll in his study of Laugh Again. Experiencing Outrageous Joy, he speaks of how we should live. He starts this study with a quote from one of our country’s most important document – The Declaration of Independence:
If it was so important to our founding fathers to include it in the Declaration of Independence, then why have so few of us found it? Swindoll says its because “of one word pursuit”. One thing we need to keep in mind is that our Joy does not come from the outside. It comes from the inside. Joy is not dependent upon our circumstances, but a mind-set. Joy is a choice, not a pursuit.
“Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl wrote,Everything can be taken from a man but one thing:
The last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
We have total control over our attitude – no matter what our circumstances may be. But that’s really hard, you say. You don’t know my circumstances. I may not know your circumstances, but I do know a mighty God who does know them.
I Need a Positive Mind-Set
Well, then how do I get a positive mind-set where I can choose joy no matter what my circumstances? The first thing we need to do is to look at where we truly get joy from. It is not from things; it is not from other; and it is not “out there somewhere” waiting to be discovered. Joy is available to us each and every day. We have to choose it over all other attitudes. Joy is not out there somewhere waiting on you go discover it. Joy is not dependent upon someone to give it. Joy is not in “things” that surround you. Joy is inside of you. Positive people are those who need virtually nothing tangible to give them joy. They are those who create their own reasons for joy. And they are those that choose it now, making it a present reality.
Now, realize, it is not as simple as just saying “I choose to be joyful.” For us to choose joy, we have to set our minds on it. We have to set our minds on “…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.” (Philippians 4:8).
Swindoll equated your mind like a bank that regularly receives deposits. By depositing the kinds of things in Philippians 4:8, we have an account that will consistently yield a high dividend called joy.
Confidence, Even Though a Victim
Paul remained confident in Christ, even though he was a victim of circumstance. Philippians 1:12-14 tells us that Paul focused on his trust in the Lord. This enabled him to endure his hardships. He also stated that because of his circumstances it allowed others to speak the Word of truth without fear. Paul saw his situation as an opportunity to have God glorified and not just something just happening to him. “Paul sees progress being made where many would see only regress.”
They Said What?
Ever had a time when you found out someone was saying things about you to hurt you, and all you were doing was your job? Paul experienced the very same thing. He noted that there were people preaching the Gospel of Christ and at the same time – whether through trying to make themselves look better or get self-glory out of it – trash talking about Paul. Did Paul let this bother him? Not at all. See Paul knew that because Christ was the center of his life, he did not have to worry about what others were saying about him. It only mattered what Christ though of him.
Paul knew that it was more important the message that was being preached and not the messenger who was preaching it. Paul said in Philippian 1:18 “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice.” You see, the message they were preaching was truth, and Christ was being preached. It was the messengers that may have had ulterior motives. Paul knew what battles to fight. This is contrasted with the message Paul sent to the Galatians where Paul chastised them for allowing the preachers to preach a false message. The Galatians were being exposed to a message of salvation by works. Paul would not stand for this false message to be spread. Here, however, Paul rejoiced in that , despite some impure motives, the good new of Jesus was still being preached.
It doesn’t matter what people say about you. Don’t’ try to be a people pleaser. As long as you are preaching the true Gospel, Jesus is pleased. No one else’s opinion matters. There is freedom in not having to live your life under what others think.
There are three things we need to remember from Paul’s example. We can stop pursuing happiness and choose to follow Christ. When we do, we will discover that Jesus will impact our lives in the same three areas that Paul described – our circumstances, our relationships, and our future.
1. When Christ is central, He broadens the dimensions of our circumstances. Jesus was not bound by Paul’s chains, nor is He confined by our limitations. He is “able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Eph.3:20)
2. When Christ is central, He delivers us from a preoccupation with others. Paul’s joy wasn’t dependent on others; he didn’t need any one’s approval – he had Christ’s, and His was all that matters. When we put Jesus above all others, that brings us joy.
3. When Christ is central, He calms our fears regarding ourselves and our future. When Christ is at the center of our hearts and minds, we find contentment instead of insecurity, peace instead of anxiety, joy instead of fear. That give us a hope for the future.
Joy is Not Happiness
Tim Hansel, author of Holy Sweat, points out: Happiness is dependent upon our circumstances. I am happy when I get a new outfit. I am happy when I get a promotion. I am happy when I pay off my car. There is nothing wrong with being happy. We should get as much happiness out of life as we can. But, again, happiness is dependent upon circumstances.
However, Joy defies circumstances. It can coexist with doubt, ambiguity, and pain. It is a contentedness beyond circumstances, an indestructible kind of confidence. When we devote our time and energy in becoming what Jesus wants us to be. It is then that we find Joy. The joy that only comes from a life set in order by our pursuit of Christ and how He wants us to live. That brings to us that solid foundation which we can stand on – no matter our circumstances – and declare joy is our strength.
Swindoll concludes this lesson with the following:
“As Jesus said, we cannot serve two masters, for we’ll always end up hating one and loving the other. “You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24b). Is happiness your mammon? Is pleasing God second or third or fourth to becoming happy? There’s only one way to free yourself from the tyranny of ‘the pursuit of happiness’ and find true joy, and that’s by making it your goal to please God instead.”
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