The Mindset of Joy
Message Summary:
[Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV] 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord [is] at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Today, Pastor John reminded us that when believers go through seasons of life that are difficult, when our thoughts, emotions and will are struggling, God is there to help us. When we feel our soul and body resisting or struggling, that is the moment that we need to pull up the joy of the Lord out of our spirits. We have to learn how to get control of the thoughts in our head and realign ourselves with the promises of the Lord found in His word. We have an opportunity not to act out of our feelings, our thoughts or our hardship, but to operate out of our new nature in the Lord.
We can pull out the power of God, because the Lord is at hand! We can train our minds to think like God’s promises in His word. We don’t have to be controlled our emotions, tossed to and fro by even whim of our feelings. We do not have to be controlled by toxic thinking, entertaining lies on the movie screen of our minds. We can choose to live according to the word of God and His promises if we choose to…by faith! Faith is not necessary when you see can see the promise; faith is needed when you cannot see it. And one of the ways you operate by faith is to experience joy, even when you don’t “feel” it. You can pull up and put on joy, no matter what is going on around you. Why? Because the word of God says you can!
In every circumstance, you can choose to praise God and to be filled with joy, no matter what! You can be grateful to the Lord even when are suffering, fearful, or struggling. You can get up and thank God that He is the God of another chance. You can thank Him that His word is true. You have to shout for victories you haven’t even received yet. If you do not feel like it, you remind yourself that your feelings do not run the show. You remind yourself that you are a spirit first, and your emotions must align with the truth of God’s word! And you make a decision to chose to rejoice to no matter what you feel or what you are facing. Your soul may be in the process of healing, but there is a part of you that is seated with Christ in heavenly places, and you need to focus on that part of yourself.
Scriptures:
[1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV] 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
[James 1:2-6 NKJV] 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
Discussion Questions:
Why is it dangerous to allow yourself to be controlled by your emotions?
What happens to your life when your emotions and feelings dictate your decisions?
Why is it important to learn how to rejoice, no matter what you feel?
What do you think happens when you choose to rejoice, in the middle of the trial?
What are some practical ways to pull up joy?
Life Application:
This week, as you study the key scriptures, ask yourself this question: In what areas of your life are your emotions or feelings controlling you? How is this affecting the quality of your life? Are you ready for a change? It is time to learn how to count it all joy and to stand on the promises of God’s word, no matter what you are facing. As you practice choosing joy, not only will it get easier as you go, it will also release the blessings of God’s word into your life. As you learn to rejoice always, your life will transform to reflect the glory of God’s promises!