The Joy in the Weirdest Circumstances
by: Jeflivs Livara

Joy is the most difficult thing to search. It seems like it is impossible for us to have consistent joy in our lives. Joy seems temporary in the lives of people. We work not because of money... We work because we want to have what money can benefit us and one of them is joy.

The problem is not JOY itself. The problem is, we are looking for joy in the wrong places on earth. 

Money 
We thought that having much money would make us happier. The happiest man on earth is not the wealthiest man. Money cannot bring joy.

Peers
We also thought that being with friends can bring joy. Yes they can help you and be with you in the good times. But chances are when trials come in your life, give a head count. They might leave you in your most troublesome moments.

Career
We thought that having a job would bring joy... but the people with high paying jobs are not the happiest people on earth. Sometimes they become too much focused on their jobs that they forget their family and worse, forget about God.

Religion
We thought that religion can bring us JOY. Perhaps yes or no. Even the most religious people on earth are not happy. If you go back to the bible, aren't the most religious people, the one's who crucified Jesus? Jesus doesn't endorse religion. Read the Bible. Many sects would claim they are the true religion... Jesus does not speak of a religion but Jesus speaks of your RELATIONSHIP to His father.

True and Everlasting Joy can only be found with Jesus Christ when you start a relationship with HIM. If you find joy in material wealth, it is temporary and it will pass. But when you find joy in Jesus, your life will change and it's eternal.

In Philippians 1-1:11, Paul will give us a very concrete scenario on how he found Joy. If you study the context, Paul was a prisoner when he wrote to the Philippians. He was imprisoned and yet HE has JOY in his heart! He never complained, He never lost faith, He never rebelled against the Lord... In fact he continued to become an effective apostle of Jesus.

How many of us now are imprisoned? Yes, we might not be behind bars but many of us are PRISONERS of Grief, Sufferings, Anger, Pain, Worry, Selfishness, Hatred and Uncertainty... But when you invest in the word of God, you will no longer feel and experience these... because Jesus changes your heart. He puts a renewed spirit within you... and his graces will simply manifest in you.

A man who has Jesus in his heart, smiles a lot and inspires others a lot.

From the time I accepted Jesus in my life, problems and trials did not eventually diminish! But what was renewed, was the way I think and see.
Others see problems as dead end but I see it as opportunity.
Others see trials as hindrances but I see it as preparation.
Others see being "alone" as sufferings but I see it as an opportunity to improve oneself and spread my wings.

When you see yourself at the mirror? What do you see? An unhappy man or a man with JOY over flowing?

Jesus renews you and brings JOY. Joy cannot be found in places... It can be found only in Jesus. It can reside in you. If it does, joy is in you even in weirdest places on earth just as Paul when he found joy even when he was imprisoned  because JOY resides in the Heart where there is God.

Amen.

Reflection:
Philippians 3:8
"3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus."