DO YOU FEEL LIKE SOMEONE PUSHED THE “CRAZY” BUTTON, and America as we knew it no longer exists? Join the crowd. It seems like there is so much bad news in the world that it’s hard to stay positive, don’t you think? If there is one thing we cross-walkers need to do in these crazy times, it’s to rediscover JOY. If the Apostle Paul had deep joy while being imprisoned, you can, too — no matter what is happening your life and our nation. In fact, Paul was such a master at the art of joy that he wrote an entire book on the subject, the Book of Philippians — and he did it while in prison! Now, that’s what I call an expert. Here are a few important things to grasp about joy — so you can have it in your life no matter what is happening around you.

WHAT IS JOY? IT IS TO BE CONTENT REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH . . .

1. JOY IS NOT SOMETHING WE ARE BORN WITH — IT’S SOMETHING WE LEARN. The imprisoned Paul wrote, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want”  (Philippians 4:11-13, NIV).

2. JOY IS BASED ON JESUS CHRIST, NOT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. If you fixate on what’s happening to you, you’ll miss Jesus in the midst. Again, Paul says, “I can do all things through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13, NIV). Real, lasting joy, is found in a Person, not a thing. It is found in Jesus Christ, the One who alone can make us content.

YOU can do all things through him who gives you strength, the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. TO INCREASE YOUR JOY, SPEND TIME IN GOD’S WORD, THE BIBLE. There are a lot of things we turn to these days to fill the void in our lives that only God can really fill. We need to stop doing this. If you want joy, you want Jesus Christ — and the way we spend time with Jesus, the Giver of joy, is to spend time in His Word. Romans 10:17 says this: “. . . faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” To build your faith — and your joy — lift your Bible.

It’s not possible to spend time in the Bible without spending time with Jesus. When you do, you’ll see your joy increase, regardless of your circumstances. No, your circumstances may not change at all — but a new you will begin to face those circumstances, and that’s what will make all the difference in the world, and the world to come.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? IS BAD NEWS GETTING YOU DOWN? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR JOY? HOW HAVE THESE THREE SIMPLE SUGGESTIONS HELPED YOU?