Our Faith Is In Jesus

Where does your joy come from? Scripture reminds us, 

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.  (Psalm 16:11, NIV)

Jesus even makes the promise of making our joy complete.

I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. (John 15:11, CEB)

Does this mean we live our lives all of the time with a great big smile on our face? Or laughing the entire time like we are enjoying a comedy show?

I find my understanding of joy in the other promises made by Jesus. He calls us not to fear and not to worry. He promises to give us peace.   

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27, CEB)

Think about all of those feelings.

No fear.

No worries.

Peace.

Complete joy.

All promises given to us by Jesus. If you are like me, you see that list and think you wish you lived there. You wonder, how come so much of life feels like I’m outside of those things?  

Are those promises only to be fully realized in Heaven?

I don’t think so. Rather, I think when we feel the opposite, afraid, anxious, no peace and no joy, it’s our reminder to slow down and ask ourselves, who or what we are truly focused on?

My guess, in most of those scenarios, we are thinking of something that has to go a certain way in our mind. Maybe we feel like we need more time in the day to get everything done. Our expenses are so high we struggle to know how everything is going to get paid. Or maybe you or a loved one received a new diagnosis and the next steps are unknown.

I don’t have the perfect fix for you today. I can’t tell you everything is going to go the way you want it to go. What I do hope you hear is this reminder, don’t allow the problem you are facing to replace Jesus in your life. Don’t focus so much on what is wrong, as you then lose sight of your faith in Jesus.

What happens too often is our prayers become consumed with the problem, the emotions of fear, worry and lack of joy and peace. We even reach out to others, asking them to pray for what is wrong.  

Is Jesus and His promises the focus, or is the problem the focus?

Remember to include Jesus and His promises in your prayers. Fill your mind again with His truths. Maybe something along these lines:

Jesus, I know You know the challenges in my life. You are not surprised. You will not keep any of Your promises from me. Your truth is greater than all of life. When You tell me I can face life without fear, without worries, with a fullness of joy and peace, I trust You. Life does not have to go the way I want it to go. My life is Yours, guide me, direct me and lead me. Help me to love as You love and shine Your light today!

Blessings,

Pastor Matt