Joy is more than just a circumstantial emotion that happens to us, it is something we can choose or control. Pastor Rob Morgan explains how this decision is the key to having true, Biblical joy.
“It sounds simplistic, but sometimes I just have to choose to be joyful even if I don’t feel that way.”
Joy is not a circumstantial emotion influenced by people, experiences or circumstances.
“It is not always found in the circumstances, the way that we may feel physically or what may be happening in our lives.”
We each have a choice to make, will we choose to be joyful or choose to be sour? Scripture instructs us to choose joy.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
Rejoicing in the Lord is not a suggestion we can ignore, it’s a commandment we are called to obey, for our own good.
“You have to choose to obey the commandments. When I choose to be joyful and say, this is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice, then somehow the emotions catch up with that decision.”
Emotions make a horrible dictator. But when our actions are the driving force, then our emotions follow in suite.
“We just can’t stay down in a place of depression. It can just pull you under.”
A sacrifice of praise will often appear to cost us initially, but we are the ultimate benefactors.
“Sometimes you just have to stand up on your feet and quote scripture and say, ‘The joy of the Lord is our strength.’ (Nehemiah 8:10)“
Rob Morgan is the pastor of The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, where he has served for 33 years. He is a best-selling and Gold-Medallion winning writer with over 25 books in print and over 3.5 million in print circulation.
Key Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:25
Featured Songs: Thank you – Bethel Music; Not By Might – Robin Mark; Strength of My Heart – Rend Collective
The strength you need
