Insight for Today
A Daily Devotional by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Joy Is a Choice

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I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! (John 15:11)

 

God is no distant deity but a constant reality, a very present help whenever needs occur. So? So live like it. And laugh like it! Paul did. While he lived, he drained every drop of joy out of every day that passed. How do I know? This little letter to the Philippians says so as we see in the chapters of Philippians.

 

• In the first chapter of Philippians we learn there is laughter in living—whether or not we get what we want, in spite of difficult circumstances, and even when there are conflicts.
• In the second chapter we learn there is laughter in serving. It starts with the right attitude (humility), it is maintained through right theology (God is God), and it is encouraged by right models and mentors (friends like Timothy and Epaphroditus).
• In the third chapter, we learn there is laughter in sharing as Paul shares three happy things: his testimony, his goal of living, and his reason for encouragement.
• Finally, in the fourth chapter we learn there is laughter in resting. These have to be some of the finest lines ever written on the principle of personal contentment.

What a treasure house of joy! Frankly, I'm excited—and I know you are too. Joy is a choice. You will discover that each person must choose joy if he or she hopes to laugh again.

 

Jesus gave us His truth so that His joy might be in us. And when that happens, our joy is full (John 15:11). The tragedy is that so few choose to live joyfully.

 

Will you? If you will, I can make you a promise: laughter and enthusiasm will follow.

 

Basically, there are two kinds of people: people who choose joy and people who don’t. People who choose joy pay no attention to what day of the week it is . . . or how old they are . . . or what level of pain they are in. They have deliberately decided to laugh again because they have chosen joy. People who do not choose joy miss the relief laughter can bring. And because they do not, they cannot. And because they can’t, they won’t.

 

Which one are you?