JOYFUL HABITS OF THE HEART

“Rejoice in the LORD always. Again I will say, Rejoice” – Philippians 4:4

Our Philippians text teaches how the Gift of Joy can be nurtured through JOYFUL HABITS of the HEART. A habit is an aptitude or attitude acquired by practice. It is a consistent custom, manner, pattern or way of life. Habits are dispositions, thoughts or actions that are engrained, and that have become “second nature” through continued repetition.

Here in our Scripture Meditation text, we discover five habits in the Practice of Joy.

Rejoice in the LORD: “Rejoice in the LORD always. Again I will say, REJOICE” (vs.4). True Joy is not dependent on or dictated by external circumstances, possessions or popularity. Rather, we rejoice in our communion with the LORD. We are commanded to rejoice, never to regret: “Regret looks back. Worry looks around. Hope looks forward and upward”! Hope in God! Hold on in Hope: “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil” (Heb.6:19). Romans 5:2 says, we “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Whatever you may be wading through now, will culminate in Glory!

Practise God’s Presence: “…The LORD is near” (vs.5b). This is one core belief that feeds and fuels our joy, irrespective of the circumstances. I choose to believe that God has become my “Circumstance” – within and without! In Him I live and move and have my being (Acts 17:28a). God’s Word and Presence make all the difference in my life. Practising His presence enables me to find joy in a world filled with evil, wickedness and violence. The Psalmist walked through “the valley of the shadow of death,” yet he saw God’s Presence, His rod and staff comforting him, and a banqueting table of abundance set before him (Psa.23: 4-5). Irrespective of your circumstances, begin each day filled with positive expectation of the manifestation of His Presence. Always expect His Presence: during your prayer time, bible reading, meditation time, and all through the day. Never doubt that “the Lord is near”!

Do Not Worry About Anything: “Be anxious for nothing…” (vs.6a). People who continually worry do not sense God working in their lives. Worry quenches initiative. Worry kills enthusiasm. Worry paints a mental picture of what you do not want to happen, what you fear could happen and yet may never happen. Worry invites and attracts negative sounds that cheaply drown the positive. What a wonder it is when Christ displaces worry from the centre of your life and places therein His Peace “which surpasses all understanding” (v.7a).

Pray Thankfully about Everything: “…in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (v.6b). As you choose to not worry, you must not leave a vacuum. Rather than worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers! Before you know it, a sense of divine wholeness will fill your heart and settle your down; a sense that “God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28).

Maintain Positive Perspective: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things” (v.8). Always meditate on the Positive! Jesus demonstrated positivity in every situation. He prayed about everything and worried about nothing. He was never discouraged. He was patient in the face of trials. He was hopeful in the midst of suffering. He was humble in the abundance of blessing. However adverse the outside circumstances may be, if your inside – your heart – is right, your life will be right. Whatever may be your stage or status in life, positive perspectives can make an incredible difference to your journey of destiny. JOY is essentially an inside job!

Beloved, through the grace and disciplines of the Holy Spirit, you can cultivate habits that’ll guarantee the Fruit of Joy.  Begin to nurture and manifest JOYFUL HABITS from your heart! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!