Choices and Joy

If you are someone who has put your trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, you have a new heart, new potentialities to be all that God has desired you to be. His life transforming power in the person of the Holy Spirit indwells you. You are a child of God and have all of the new opportunities this new family relationship provides. You have not arrived at perfection. Perfection happens when you transfer to heaven. But this side of heaven provides all of the potential to experience a taste of heaven, to enjoy the presence of God and the privilege of serving God. In all of this you have the choice to choose thoughts that bring joy. Real joy does not depend on circumstances but on your confidence the God who is in charge of life.

In my listening of Ken Boa’s audio series on James, on James 1:2, he noted that there are three why’s that can be asked.
(James 1:2) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

1) Why of grumbling: Why are you letting this happen? Why are you so inept? Why do you not have my best interest at heart? Are you not in control? Why can’t I seem to trust you? These are question that we may not vocalize out loud but have as subconscious thoughts in our grumbling.

2) Why of guidance: What do you want me to do. This is why turned into a what. What are You trying to teach me? This is a more productive approach.

3) Why of gratitude: Why have you been so good to me? Why have you allowed me to be born this country? Why have you given me good health, friends, etc.? Why do I deserve this? Am I better than others?

You get to choose your response to life’s trials. You don’t get to choose the trial or type of trial. Trials will come to all of us. You have a choice by the act of your will. Your greatest resource apart from the indwelling Holy Spirit is your will. Your will and the thoughts you choose to dwell upon will shape your life (Proverbs 4:23). The real you, with your holy intentions(the result of God’s indwelling transformative power) can experience real joy and the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s work. There is a divine synergy between your will and the Holy Spirit that allows you to grow in a deepening freedom to think and act in a more Christlike manner. Even though your flesh (the part of you that persists in acting contrary to the will of God) will always be with you, time and practice will give you new thoughts, emotions, attitudes and behaviors as you walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16. Keep choosing the right thoughts (Philippians 4:8) and enjoy God’s type of joy as you walk with Him.