Many times, carefully laid plans are messed up by unexpected events.
When the best plans dissipate into thin air,
When savings are consumed with quick replacement,
When life takes an unforeseen turn,
… folks respond in different ways.
Some commit suicide because they think they had run out of options.
Some folks turn to alcohol because they couldn’t wrap their heads around the new turn of events
Some become overwhelmed with mental health problems, something snaps inside them and they just lose it.
Life is not a bed of roses
Accept that and know peace
But what should you do when life suddenly seem to makes no sense?
Don’t lose your joy
Don’t lose your joy
Joy is a product of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian.
Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The Spirit of God takes residence in you when you choose to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord.
There’s a world of a difference between joy and happiness
Happiness is delight or pleasure that is hinged in things (e.g. cars) or people (e.g. friends)
Joy on the other hand is the great pleasure and delight based on the relationship you have with God through His Spirit that is resident in you.
The realization that you have a Father in God elicits joy.
You’re joyful not because of what you see around you — which might not be pleasant — but because of what you have inside you i.e. God Almighty.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
Don’t lose your joy, whether your life seem sensible or not.
There will be situations when it seems nothing make sense, but refusing to lose your joy will reap great rewards.
Expect a touch of the supernatural if you refuse to lose your joy!
Paul and Silas refused to lose their joy despite being severely beaten and imprisoned for no just cause. Despite their condition, they sang hymns and eventually attracted supernatural deliverance (Paraphrased with reference to Acts 16:22-26 NKJV).
You encourage others when you refuse to lose your joy.
Because one man — David — refused to lose his joy and encouraged himself in the Lord, 600 soldiers received encouragement to fight again for their family and their loved ones. This was after after they had no more strength in them because they had spent all their energy crying.
When you hold on to your joy, you are able to see other people in distress.
Joseph was a young man thrown in prison indefinitely. He held on to his joy despite his circumstances, therefore, he was able to see other prisoners that were depressed and he offered help. (Paraphrased as referenced in Genesis 40: 2-8 NKJV) That action eventually facilitated his meeting Pharaoh and appointment as prime-minister of the kingdom
Holding on to your joy brings honor to Jesus
The apostles — grown men — refuse to lose their joy despite being flogged publicly. Instead they turned the shame and disgrace into an occasion of rejoicing and brought honor to Jesus by continuing to teach and preach. (Paraphrased as referenced in Acts 5:40-42 NKJV).
In conclusion, when life presents you with awkward situations,
When carefully laid plans are scattered without prior notice,
Remember this: DON’T LOSE YOUR JOY
Remind yourself of the goodness of God in times past
Fill your heart with hymns and gratitude to God, and your mouth with songs of praise.
Then press ahead!
Hebrews 10:35 (NKJV) Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.