Always be joyful in the Lord! I’ll say it again: Be joyful!
Philippians 4:4
S ome say that happiness is based on circumstances while joy is based on focus. When your focus is your own happiness, most often you end up disappointed, but when your focus is serving and pleasing God, look out, ’cuz the happy train is coming round the bend. In the middle of the most horrible trials you can be happy, or rather joyful, when you know that God’s hand is on your life. Take the life of the apostle Paul. While locked up in prison for preaching God’s Word, Paul wrote the book of Philippians. In it you will find out more about the ability to find joy no matter what the circumstances. The secret to being happy or joyful is not getting what you want but being content with what you have, and Paul has learned that secret.
What you focus on will affect how you feel. Focus on the negative and you’ll feel bad, but focus on the positive and you will feel much better. Your mind is where your faith is or isn’t. If you let your mind wander into areas of negativity, fear, and worry, then your faith will suffer, but if you refuse to worry but instead trust God in everything, then your joy will be unstoppable. Your faith, your future, and your feelings all find their foundation in your thoughts. Consider what you think about the most and direct your thoughts upward. Watch how the apostle Paul kept not only his faith but also his joy in the midst of his trials, and you will find an answer for your own.