Lesson 24: Joy’s focus
Philippians 4:1-23 – www.bible.com/bible/59/php.4
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Many of us find ourselves addicted to various things in our lives – both things we know are harmful to us as well as things we might think are not. The answer to addictions of any kind is found in today’s verse.
First, we need to know and agree that anything taking our focus off of God is idolatry and leads us into slavery to whatever we are focused on (Galatians 5:1). A pastor said everyone will serve someone – Satan and evil or God and good. Serving Satan can on the surface appear to be almost anything in this life – food, sex, money, good job, success, alcohol, drugs, and the list goes on (Galatians 5:19-21). This kind of serving leads to slavery which limits all our choices.
Second, true joy can come only with true freedom through serving God. Serving God is freedom in the highest sense mankind is able to experience (John 8:36). This kind of serving leads to virtues and qualities of life most people want to have – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
The task is changing how we THINK rather than changing what we DO. Focusing on God can be easier than we might think – as we read in our verse for today. God tells us (in James 1:17) every good and perfect gift we have or receive is from Him. Do you see a perfect little flower and think how God made it and put it in your path today just to cheer you up? Did a smile from a stranger lift your spirit – and did you thank God for this stranger’s encouragement to you? Did you taste a great meal – and thank God for the person who prepared it for you? Did you see a co-worker receive an honor for good work – and thank God for placing such an example into your life to encourage you to attain such excellence too?
God’s gifts to encourage us abound all around us, if we only take the time to see them. Thanking Him for these little perfect gifts then turns US into the stranger who smiles to lift someone else’s spirits, or the unexpected helping hand which gives without asking anything in return, or the example to someone whom you may not even realize is watching you but is thinking, “I want to be like this person!”
The joy resulting from focusing on God – on whatever is true or honorable or just or pure or lovely or commendable or excellent or worthy of praise – is a contagious joy others around you will want to have.
*How many people did you smile at today, or say “God bless you” to?