Choosing Joy

There are many forms of joy. The joy of creating beauty, the joy of receiving a gift, the joy of expressing love.

But there is another kind of joy that if chosen, far outweighs it all. A joy that breaks through the hard ground, hopes in the darkness and sings in the chaos. This joy gives strength when there is not a fibre of your being left to hold on. It is a joy so deep and so fulfilling, because it stems from the very heart of God.

In the recent years, while still struggling with oppression and darkness, there was this faithful uncle who I got to know through a seminary lecturer that would say he is praying for me. He didn’t say or do much, just encouraged me through messaging that I was in his prayers. And he would usually also add these two words – choose joy.

Now, honestly, I didn’t really like those two words. Because at that point, it was HARD for me to choose joy. Sometimes the fleshly side of me would almost go into self pity mode and say- well, its not that easy for me you know.

But two years down the road and I think I’ve somehow learned to choose joy? And honestly that has been the most freeing and strengthening thing ever.

Choose joy when you are in the process. Choose joy instead of anxiety. Laugh even when you are enduring. Choose joy when someone says something a little unnecessary to you. Choose joy. Sing when your hurting, let the tears flow down, but still choose joy.

Because Christ chose joy.

There’s this verse in Hebrews 12:1-2, one of my favourite verses that says this –

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Jesus chose joy. He chose to look at the joy awaiting Him – the fact that we can spend life eternal with Him and that joy gave Him the internal strength to endure the cross and despise its shame.

And so somehow, the solution to my pain is to choose joy. And let His joy over me break forth! He chose me first, and that alone is worth celebrating!

Have a blessed Day! Enjoy every moment with Your Lord.