What robs you of joy?

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4, ESV)

These verses perplex many Christians - because when the tough times come: a tragic accident that takes a spouse; cancer that robs a child of his life; daily trials that wear us down - we wonder why on earth James would tell us to consider this all joy?

As I mentioned in my earlier post, this is a joy that only comes from the Lord, and it is based on our position in Christ. Far too often, when the trials of life come, we say, "Why Me??" and then grit our teeth and think if we some how hunker down and stoically bear through the hard times, we will somehow return to a state of happiness.

We think our hard circumstances rob us of joy. But this is contrary to what the Bible teaches. James tells us to count the trials as joy. Why? Because it tests our faith and produces maturity. As a believer - your joy is already there - it is the knowledge that this world is not your home - you are merely passing through to your REAL home… which is your eternal inheritance in heaven. This perseverance is a mark of maturity - an affirmation that you are, indeed, growing in Christ. How we respond to trials reveals a great deal about where we find our treasure… because a believer takes hope in what is to come, and does not despair over the losses of this world. THIS isn't the prize!

So, if you aren't experiencing this joy, then here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. The first question to ask is, have I truly been born again? Being religious won't get you through trials with joy. It is only when you have cried out to Jesus – recognizing that your own efforts will never be enough to merit an eternal relationship with God – when you have repented and turned and trusted in Christ alone – only then will you even be able to tap into joy.
2. Some of you might be saying – YES, I know that I am born again – and at one point, I was tapped into that joy- but something has happened… and I don't know how to get back to it. The next question is: where is your focus? Are you focused and tapped into Christ or are you consumed with yourself? Am I consumed with myself – am I consumed with the daily demands of this life? Or, am I delighting myself in HIM! Am I keeping an eternal perspective? I am seeking to know Him and be known by Him?
   Satan seeks to steal our joy. One of his many subtle tricks is to keep us focused on ourselves and too busy to spend time with the One who ALONE can satisfy the desires of our heart. And he especially likes to use "religious" stuff to do this.
3. Another thing that will rob you of joy is dissatisfaction. We need to ask ourselves, am I joyless because I think I deserve more than what is currently mine? For example – as a single woman, I can get wrapped up in a pity party that I am not married. As married people, we can get wrapped up in "I don't have children yet" – or I wish my spouse were more like that person… or a multitude of other things. What breeds discontent in your heart?
   This is one of the dangers of the health and wealth gospel that is prevalent these days… which says, God is going to give us a trouble-free life on this earth. But James does not say IF you face trials – he says WHEN. In other words – you WILL have trials – of all shapes and sizes. But not just to have trials. They have purpose… they mature us in our faith… and we don't get joy when we make it through them – the joy is already ours.
   This is a perspective issue. If you are focused on yourself and the trial – it's going to be a miserable experience. Remember – we are striving for our eternal inheritance – which, by the way, is beyond our wildest imaginations.
   Trials will come – it's our focus and response that indicate where our heart finds delight. When trials come is our response "woe is me" or is it, "God is good!"?

4. Another reason you might be lacking joy is if you are being controlled by your feelings. Philippians 4:4 says – REJOICE in the Lord always – again, I say REJOICE. Ask yourself – what is TRUE in this situation? You may not always FEEL like rejoicing – but as a believer, the fact that you have been redeemed is reason enough to wake up praising and rejoicing!
We must learn to CONTROL our feelings. The only way to do that is to practice right thinking. Phil. 4:8 says "Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy – think on THESE things" (NIV).
I don't know if any of you have ever suffered from depression – but I have had 3 bouts with it – all in my 20's – and God be praised – not at all in the past 10 years. Many times depression comes from a downward spiral in our thoughts… if we can catch this early on – we can avoid the downward spiral. (Now, I'm not talking about depression that comes from chemical imbalance… which is not the cause of depression for most of us…)
There are two steps that I take and recommend, if you are feeling "down":

• Check for any known sin issues – I know at least one of my depressions was brought on by me being in sin… I literally became sin-sick. If you know of sin in your life – name it – (ie) confess it – and then repent (turn from it – stop it!
• Recite TRUTH – about who God is – what He desires for and from His children… remind yourself of where your treasure is. One thing others (and I) have found to be helpful is to keep index cards with relevant verses – and when that depression seems lurking – recite truth. Break out those index cards and get your thinking back on track and your focus back on the source of joy.
5. In James 1:5-8, we discover another clue. James says, "if any of you lacks wisdom, ASK God!" A lack of prayer will rob you of joy. Are you spending time set aside to talk to and LISTEN to God? Back in the Philippians passage – right after Paul says to always rejoice – he says PRAY! (v. 6) We see this in his letter to the Thessalonians too. Thess. 5:16-18 says "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (NIV) If you've ever wondered what God's will is for you – well, this is clear… and I think if we focused on just getting this part right – it would make a difference!! Joy and prayer and thanksgiving are all linked. So often we blame our circumstances for our lack of joy, but it really has so much more to do with our relationship to the Lord (or lack of). I recommend praying Scripture (in proper context). (Two helpful books on this: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney and Before the Throne of God by Carol J. Ruvolo.) Praying Scripture helps my focus stay on Christ - and it gives me the proper perspective (God's perspective). What I have described is not easy - and it requires us to fight for this joy. In my next posting I will describe more ways for us to do just that.