Joy for many can be hard to find, especially around the holidays. In today’s lesson we’ll explore the concept of joy and how it's not a feeling but a decision we make.

--

The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

Donate Now

--

• Luke 2:8-11 (NLT) That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”
• Joy for many can be hard to find, especially around the holidays. 
• Overwhelmed with problems:
• Financial burdens
• Relationship problems
• Depression, anxiety
• In contrast, share a funny personal story through the eyes of a child’s joyful expectation of gifts, not necessarily Jesus. (Joy quickly evaporates when gifts don’t meet expectations and conversely explodes when gifts exceed them.)

Trans: so what, exactly, is JOY?

• Most people think of joy as fundamentally a FEELING
• Examples:
• But here’s a more biblical definition: Joy is a decision.
• Let’s break that down into two parts…

Promises over Problems

Joy is a decision to elevate God’s promises over our problems. Trust what God says more than what we see. Enemy’s tactics: Gen 3, Peter on water

• Otherwise, God wouldn’t command it. Joy is a clear mandate from scripture & fruit of the Spirit. (Supporting texts) To be a Christian, and to be a scrooge or a grinch, is to sin!
• Explain from scripture the mandate and the example of Paul in spite of his circumstances!
• James 1:2 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
• He’s not saying it IS joyful, he’s telling us to make an unnatural decision
• Throw the trump card over every situation in your life
• Philippians 4:4-5 (NLT) Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
• The enemy’s playbook is through our thoughts

You Last

Joy is a decision to put yourself last, not first. Doesn’t feel natural at all. JOY acronym 

• The source of our joy is a person and the promises he has secured for His people.
• Time for a cheesy (but memorable) acronym
• J - starts with Jesus
• Joy is a decision to elevate God’s promises over our problems.
• Do you know his promises? Let’s make a list:
• 
  
• O - then focus on others
• Have you noticed that the most depressed people are self-absorbed?
• Antidote to depression = find someone to serve
• That’s a decision for sure; by nature you don’t want to serve someone
• What’s God’s promise around this?
• Ephesians 6:7-8 (NLT) Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do….
• Y - you last

Joy is not fundamentally a feeling, but over time our decisions will drive our feelings. Feelings are the caboose, not the engine. 

• James 1:2 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
• It’s not joy yet… but the feelings with come down the road