Joyful or Self-Pity
Have you ever met someone who seems to always be joyful? They look on the bright side of everything. I have met a few. These are the kind of people who are really fun to be around. On the other hand, we all have met people who are always in the self-pity mode. You may be one of them. It doesn’t see to matter what is happening in life they are just in this “poor me” pit. They are not happy. And no one really likes to be around them.
Self-Pity
When looking self-pity up in the dictionary it said, “Self-Pity is to have pity for oneself, especially self-indulgent attitude concerning one’s own difficulties, hardships etc.”
One thing that I have seen in these types of people is that they never take any responsibility for what circumstances they may be in. They may be there because of their own doing but it is always someone else fault, in their minds, a lot of times. If they don’t blame others they whine about how horrible of a person they are.
It sounds like a type of person none of us really want to be around but the reality is we all can be like this now and then. We are not happy when we get in this mode and it makes everyone around us unhappy.
It reminds me of the story in the Bible about King Ahab. There was a vineyard he wanted to have that was near his palace. But the man who owned it did not want to get rid of it. It had been a part of his family’s heritage and he did not want to part with it. Ahab was not happy. He went home and was having a feel sorry for me pity party. “And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would not eat bread” (See 1 Kings 21:1-4).
What Self-Pity can lead to?
When we are constantly in the self-pity mode it does not lead to anything good. In Ahab’s case, the man was killed and Ahab got what he wanted. What a spoiled brat. But this is the reality of our world today. If people don’t get what they want they go out and kill people. Now, not everyone is doing the actual deed but they are full of so much hate and anger that they are killing in their heart.
What are the “rewards” for self-pity?
It really brings death and sorrow for others. When we get caught up in self-pity, which really falls in line with pride as well, we are really dead inside. There is no joy or happiness. We make the life of others miserable as well. And in the end, it will bring eternal death. God will not allow someone full of self-pity and pride into His Kingdom because that would just bring more misery.
Joyful
This is a much more joyful subject to dwell upon. This is what the dictionary said, “Full of joy, as a person or one’s heart; glad; delight. Showing or expressing joy, as looks, actions, or speech.” I don’t know about you but it brings a sense of joy to my heart just reading it’s meaning.
We all know what it is like to be around a person who is joyful. We are drawn to that type of person. As Christians, we have every reason to be joyful. “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright”. Psalms 32:11 & 33:1.
What are the rewards of joy?
What being joyful does to us emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually is not explainable. If you have not experienced it, how can I ever explain it? But those who have experienced it know what I am talking about. How we think, how we respond, or how we act affects us greatly. Keeping our minds positive and in a joyful spirit can help us go a long way.
Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” I also like Proverbs 15:13, which says, “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” So being joyful is the key to a better life. So what are the rewards? A much more fulfilling life and ultimately, eternal life.
What can produce joy?
The first thing that comes to mind is what Christ has done for us. If we dwell upon the love that Christ had for us in coming and taking our place in eternal death, if we so choose to accept it, wow! How amazing. This can produce a joy in our hearts that is beyond expression. Just like Jesus said to his disciples in Luke 10:20, “…but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
A clear conscience can bring joy. When we have fallen in love with Jesus, we will not want to do anything that is displeasing to Him. And when we know we are right with Him it brings joy. 2 Corinthians 1:12 says, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience…”
Keeping the commands in God’s Word can bring joy
When we are in love with Jesus it is not a drudgery to keep God’s commands. We may have a struggle with self at times but when we fully surrender all to God it brings so much joy. Just like it says in Psalms 19:8, “The statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
God’s promises bring joy
When you have full trust in God we can cling to His promises and they bring joy to our hearts. When I am having a down day if I take a promise and dwell upon it the joy of the Lord becomes my strength. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16
When we share with others the wisdom of God’s Word, we get joy.
Every time we share with others the joy of our salvation it produces joy in us. “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” Proverbs 15:23. There is so much joy in sharing a word in due season.
Persecution and trials can also produce joy.
You may wonder how this is possible. It is only possible as we surrender all to God and trust in His plan. I like this promise, 1 Peter 4:12, 13, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trials which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” I also love this one in James 1:2, 3, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
As we see those we share with grow in Christ it also produces joy in us.
I don’t know about you but this brings such joy to me when I see others growing in Christ. When I see the joy that they are experiencing as they learn more about Christ and fall more and more in love with Him. lll John 4 says it all, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” He is referring to those that were growing in the Lord. It can be our own children for sure but I believe it includes all those around us that are growing. It definitely brings ultimate joy when we see our own children growing in the grace of Christ.
Joy is produced in us when a job is well done.
When we obey the Lord in what He has asked us to do it brings a joy. He has given us all abilities and when we use them for Him it produces joy. And these are the words that I know I want to hear someday and I pray you do as well. “…Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things…enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21. As we surrender and walk with Christ, hand in hand joy will be produced in us.
What are some practical everyday things I can do to experience joy?
- Be grateful. Start a grateful journal. We tend to forget the good things in life. But we also need to be grateful even for the trials and difficulties that come our way, knowing, “…all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
- Cry out to God. When we do have difficulty instead of grinding about it and focusing on it cry out to God for help, courage, and strength. “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knows not.” Jeremiah 33:3. As we cry out to God in time of trouble with an attitude of unconditional surrender then when God works we can testify to what He has done. When I can testify of God’s goodness to me the thrill of joy is amazing.
- Sing praises to God. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Ephesians 5:19, 20. I know when I sing it I can’t help but start to feel joyful.
- Talk of God’s wondrous works. As we testify of God and what He has done in our lives or in the lives of others it brings joy to the heart. “Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory in his holy name; let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.” 1Chronicles 16:9, 10
- Glory in His name. “Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;” Psalms 105:3-5
- Seek His face continually. We need to be seeking Him constantly. “Seek the Lord and his strength, see his face continually.” 1Chronicles 16:11.
“The joy of the Lord is our strength” so we need to allow His joy to fill our hearts.
Dear Father,
As we seek You, fill our hearts with Your joy. Thank You for Your promises.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Get out of the self-pity mode today and fill your life with joy. It is a choice!
Love you all.
What steps have you taken to keep you on the path of joy instead of self-pity?