? Cultivate joy!

Today, we’re going to take a look at an indispensable habit: cultivating joy. I was inspired by an expert, the apostle Paul, who wrote an entire book on joy and happiness while he was in prison. He reminds us here to: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (the Bible, Philippians 4:4, NLT)

Do you believe this is “always” possible? It’s easier said than done, especially when:

• Everything doesn’t go as planned,
• You’re going through a painful trial,
• The answer to prayer is slow to come,
• You’re suffering in your body. 

Yet, the author wasn’t “swimming” in either wealth or health when he wrote this letter to the Philippians. In fact, he was in prison because of his faith, and his sight was probably failing him!

How can you be full of joy in such circumstances? I believe that everything is revealed in this verse: “in the Lord.” Paul understood that his joy wasn’t in the transient pleasures of the world, nor in riches or notoriety…but in Jesus alone.

So he drew his joy from what he knew of his Lord, remaining faithful and totally dependent on Him. He loved God and made Him his priority. (Read Colossians 3:1, NKJV)

These are the foundations of Paul’s joy:

• He didn’t worry, knowing that God would provide for all his needs (Philippians 4:6)  
• He remained at peace because he fixed his eyes on Jesus and not on his situation (Philippians 4:7)
• He lived in contentment, satisfied no matter what state he was in (Philippians 4:11-12)  
• He knew where to draw his strength, even when in chains (Philippians 4:13)  
• He knew that God would provide for all his needs, that He’d never forsake him (Philippians 4:19).  

Do you want to feel and cultivate deep joy? Joy that doesn’t depend on your circumstances or situation? If so, I invite you to choose to cultivate it from now on, based on the first habits we discussed this week.

It won’t happen overnight; not everything will change in the blink of an eye. But I encourage you to persevere and look to Jesus, the author of your joy.

Have a wonderful day!