Finding Joy In A Storm Tossed World Series

2. Confess your sins – Get that barrier to joy taken care of.

3. Think on the good things

> Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Discipline your mind to look at life from a biblical perspective. To a large extent, joy flows from a certain kind of thinking.

>Psalm 16:8-9 I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices.

4. Find an encourager

> Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

5. Minister to others – Jesus came with a mission, a purpose. True joy comes only to those who have devoted their lives to something greater than personal happiness. Get busy helping others.

6. Decide you will rejoice regardless –

> Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Nehemiah said, This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep… for the joy of the Lord is your strength. You find strength, after you decide and begin rejoicing.

C. S. Lewis said, Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition, when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.