Want a Life Full of Joy? Do These 4 Things Gladly

His lips hummed cheerfully while his hands skillfully repaired a bicycle. That is what my regular mechanic does while he works. For me, repairing a bicycle is not enjoyable because I cannot do it. But for the mechanic, it is a pleasant task because he is already trained in repairing and assembling bicycles. And because he does it gladly, the result is satisfying.

It is easy for us to do something we like. It is easy to feel happy when we get what we want. But how can we remain joyful when facing difficulties, or when we have to do things we do not like?

The Joy of Pleasing God

God has blessed us with so many things. One of His purposes is that we may live with fullness of joy.

So then, what kinds of joys should we value and enjoy according to the Bible? What things can we do to please God?

1. Joyfully Enjoying the Fruit of Our Labor

On Sundays, my wife and I usually go out together to eat at one of our favorite restaurants or watch a movie. Even though it costs money, we are happy to do it. We want to enjoy the fruit of our labor.

And that each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil, this too is the gift of God. – Ecclesiastes 3:13

What we gain from our work is a gift from God. So, enjoy your achievements. Make yourself, your spouse, and your child happy.

Everyone has their own way of enjoying what they have achieved. A friend of mine enjoys spending the whole day fishing at sea. Others enjoy exercising or cooking together with family. Besides strengthening relationships, enjoyable activities can refresh your mind, so that your work or study performance remains at its best.

2. Joy in the House of Mourning

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. – Ecclesiastes 7:4

Why should we find joy in the house of mourning, when someone has died? We have to give support, make time to pay our last respects, and grieve together with others. Where is the joy in that?

The ‘house of mourning’ here has both a literal and a figurative meaning. The English term is house of mourning, not funeral home. House of mourning means a place where people are grieving, where we can bring comfort. We choose to comfort and strengthen others, instead of going to the house of pleasure (a place of feasting) to seek worldly enjoyment.

Literally, in the house of mourning, we are reminded of the end of every person. One day, we too will die. And no matter how much wealth we gather during life, we cannot take it with us. So while there is still opportunity, let us use our time to do what is worthwhile. Gladly let us do everything that can glorify God.

3. Joy in Weakness

“Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions and troubles for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:10

No matter how capable we are in certain things, we will surely have weaknesses in other areas. Paul wrote that he delighted in his weakness, because in that weakness, the power of God is made perfect. He did not depend on himself, but on God.

Do you realize that we are actually able to do things we do not really like or do not really master when we rely on the strength of God? We may have to go through many difficulties, stumbling and rising again as we work in areas that are our weakness. Yet none of it is wasted, because we will gain sweet and positive results from that struggle.

4. Joyfully Meditating on the Word

“But whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on it day and night.” – Psalm 1:2

One reason we like an activity is because we enjoy the process. Personally, I enjoy meditating on the word of God, because in it there is comfort, strength, counsel, and correction for my own good.

For example, in the journey of becoming a disciple of Jesus, I learned to resolve conflict and forgive. Before the conflict was resolved, I would not enjoy dealing with that person. Let alone greeting them, I did not even want to smile or shake hands. But when I meditated on the truth of God’s word God and put it into practice, namely by making peace and resolving the conflict, our relationship could be restored.

So, whether we can always rejoice depends on ourselves. If we decide to exercise self-control instead of being ruled by circumstances, we will be able to rejoice in all things. Enjoy the fruit of your labor, comfort those who are grieving, love the word of God, and believe that through your weakness, the power of God can be revealed. Amen!

*Church GKDI is currently present in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area. If you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

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