16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.
"Encourage the timid, help with weak". Words to live by for us all, but were especially meaningful for me. Over the past couple of weeks I have allowed myself to become office-bound at work. I have not been in the classroom encouraging and helping teachers.
As I read today's passage, there were many action verbs- warn, encourage, help, pray, give thanks, test, hold on to, and avoid. These things I can do. Not well perhaps and not all the time, but at least I can attempt to be a "doer" of these.
What is currently, and has been for years, my biggest challenge is the simple "be" mandate. Be joyful. I can "do" stuff- pray, help, avoid, etc. But "be joyful"? I know intellectually about joy. Biblical joy is not situational. Biblical joy is contentment, not just happiness. Biblical joy is available to all Christians. Biblical joy is internal. Biblical joy is, for me, elusive.
This brings me to another question. Are there some "do's" in order for us to "be". In order to have joy what must I do in order to place myself in the position to (receive?, gain?, have?, possess?) joy?
Which apply:
Pray?
Meditate?
Obey?
Gather with other believers?
Avoid evil?
Praise? (One of the toughest "do" commands for me.)
Memorize?
Study?
Give thanks?
Empty myself of self? (This one needs some 'splaining Lucy.)
Read?
Nothing?
Joy is a frustrating concept for me. So promised through scripture. Even commanded. True joy is one of the most powerful witnessing tools we possess. Joy calms the mind, body and soul. It is the bringer of restful nights and laughter-filled days. But it is not a resident in my heart. It does come for a visit on occasion, but has yet to have its mail forwarded.
"Encourage the timid, help with weak". Words to live by for us all, but were especially meaningful for me. Over the past couple of weeks I have allowed myself to become office-bound at work. I have not been in the classroom encouraging and helping teachers.
As I read today's passage, there were many action verbs- warn, encourage, help, pray, give thanks, test, hold on to, and avoid. These things I can do. Not well perhaps and not all the time, but at least I can attempt to be a "doer" of these.
What is currently, and has been for years, my biggest challenge is the simple "be" mandate. Be joyful. I can "do" stuff- pray, help, avoid, etc. But "be joyful"? I know intellectually about joy. Biblical joy is not situational. Biblical joy is contentment, not just happiness. Biblical joy is available to all Christians. Biblical joy is internal. Biblical joy is, for me, elusive.
This brings me to another question. Are there some "do's" in order for us to "be". In order to have joy what must I do in order to place myself in the position to (receive?, gain?, have?, possess?) joy?
Which apply:
Pray?
Meditate?
Obey?
Gather with other believers?
Avoid evil?
Praise? (One of the toughest "do" commands for me.)
Memorize?
Study?
Give thanks?
Empty myself of self? (This one needs some 'splaining Lucy.)
Read?
Nothing?
Joy is a frustrating concept for me. So promised through scripture. Even commanded. True joy is one of the most powerful witnessing tools we possess. Joy calms the mind, body and soul. It is the bringer of restful nights and laughter-filled days. But it is not a resident in my heart. It does come for a visit on occasion, but has yet to have its mail forwarded.
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