Weekday Devotionals
We value Joy in our Attitude: By Steve Grigg
Bible verse - 1Peter 1:6 “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.”
THOUGHTS:
Pastor Aaron’s message Sunday began by saying that “Joy” is not “Happiness”. Happiness is circumstantial. Joy is sustained contentment in every situation. He went on to say, “Joy is the result of our attitude and perspective coming into proper alignment.”
I have heard the Joy vs. Happiness message a few times; and as before, I asked myself am I joyful? This question seems weird to me. I like to make people smile, laugh, or bring a moment of good cheer to those around me. Yet in my personal life I allow large and small issues to bring out a moment of “Are you kidding me?” When I think about that response, I wonder where is my joy? Where is my focus? This points me to the “Joy is the result of our attitude and perspective coming into proper alignment.” As a believer, I know that the answer is God, His will for me, and His plans.
As Pastor Aaron continues, he gives examples of what joy is not; Cain/Abel, Jacob/Esau, Korah and the 250, and King Saul. Joy is not an attitude of indifference. It is not stubbornness and rebellion. Joy is found in obedience and submission to God. I see bits of me in each of the comparisons. In the past, this would have been discouraging. Now I recognize that I am God’s work in progress. As I continue reading the One Year Bible, I see myself growing in understanding. My involvement at Thrive has been a blessing. The Dream Team and small groups have provided support to me and opportunities to encourage others.
As I continued my writings, I realized that I do have joy in my life, that Joy really is our attitude and perspective coming into a proper alignment with God.
All of the disciples would eventually be martyred. Many were imprisoned, beaten, ridiculed, or stoned for their faith. Yet here in 1 Peter 1:3-9, Peter expresses encouragement for us to be joyful in our situations.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuine- ness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
CHALLENGE: I have found over my life that reflection can realign my attitude about my current circumstances. So, if you were like me as I sat down to write this devotional, take time to see where God has worked, is working in your life, and then think about his future promises. You may not understand your current situation. Allow God to move your attitude and perspective from seeking happiness and self-focused, to seeking joy and an eternal, God focus. Joyfully remember that God is with you always.
- Steve
Bible verse - 1Peter 1:6 “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.”
THOUGHTS:
Pastor Aaron’s message Sunday began by saying that “Joy” is not “Happiness”. Happiness is circumstantial. Joy is sustained contentment in every situation. He went on to say, “Joy is the result of our attitude and perspective coming into proper alignment.”
I have heard the Joy vs. Happiness message a few times; and as before, I asked myself am I joyful? This question seems weird to me. I like to make people smile, laugh, or bring a moment of good cheer to those around me. Yet in my personal life I allow large and small issues to bring out a moment of “Are you kidding me?” When I think about that response, I wonder where is my joy? Where is my focus? This points me to the “Joy is the result of our attitude and perspective coming into proper alignment.” As a believer, I know that the answer is God, His will for me, and His plans.
As Pastor Aaron continues, he gives examples of what joy is not; Cain/Abel, Jacob/Esau, Korah and the 250, and King Saul. Joy is not an attitude of indifference. It is not stubbornness and rebellion. Joy is found in obedience and submission to God. I see bits of me in each of the comparisons. In the past, this would have been discouraging. Now I recognize that I am God’s work in progress. As I continue reading the One Year Bible, I see myself growing in understanding. My involvement at Thrive has been a blessing. The Dream Team and small groups have provided support to me and opportunities to encourage others.
As I continued my writings, I realized that I do have joy in my life, that Joy really is our attitude and perspective coming into a proper alignment with God.
All of the disciples would eventually be martyred. Many were imprisoned, beaten, ridiculed, or stoned for their faith. Yet here in 1 Peter 1:3-9, Peter expresses encouragement for us to be joyful in our situations.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuine- ness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
CHALLENGE: I have found over my life that reflection can realign my attitude about my current circumstances. So, if you were like me as I sat down to write this devotional, take time to see where God has worked, is working in your life, and then think about his future promises. You may not understand your current situation. Allow God to move your attitude and perspective from seeking happiness and self-focused, to seeking joy and an eternal, God focus. Joyfully remember that God is with you always.
- Steve
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