Posted: October 14 by: Karen Klassen

As I worked through the second devotional in Philippians I was reminded of some core things about my faith that I had previously known but forgotten.  When I say forgotten I don't mean that my mind had forgotten them, but rather that my mind had stopped thinking about them and they had lost their place of priority in my thougths and consequently my life.  I had forgotten that joy was to be a part of my every day life.  Joy seems to have been pushed out by thoughts about productivity and meaningful work.  I haven't forgotten about the big other centred fruit, like love and patience and self-control.  As a Mom I am always reminded that I need more of these fruit.  I see when they aren't there.  But joy has always seemed like a luxury--nice if you have it but it is possible to soldier through without.  And at its core it always seemed like joy was less about other people and mostly for me.  A gift given by God to bless me as I journey through life.  And after thinking about joy this week, and talking about joy, and reading your blogs, I want more joy!!!  Bring it on.  Bless me Lord with your gift of joy.  I want to serve and know your joy in the midst of it.  And help me not forget that I want it!

It is nearing the end of our week of Joy, but its not too late to blog.  Hundreds of people are reading the blogs and they are a profound encouragement to our community, so keep them coming.  Let's add another dimension to our blogs.  Several of the comments beg for a response.  If you have something to say in response to an entry, say it.  Encourage each other.  Answer questions.  Let's be a part of each other's journeys.  

And if you would like to try your hand at writing a blog entry we invite you to step up to the challenge.  It would be nice to start dialogue about PEACE early in the week.  Send Mike Janz or me your blog on Monday or Tuesday and we will post it.

2. Cultivating a Grateful Heart

The book of Philippians is sometimes referred to as Paul’s epistle of joy. In every chapter Paul assures his friends in Philippi that he is joyful in spite of his circumstances, and he charges them to be joyful also. Turn now to Philippians and read 1:25-26, 2:17-18, 3:1 and 4:4. What do you notice about Paul’s perspective on joy? I encourage you to write down your observations.

Some people have a naturally joyful disposition. I have a friend who, after being raised as an atheist, was drawn to faith because she felt so joyful that she realized she needed someone to thank. For me, however, joy is an attitude of the heart which has required intentional cultivation.

I’m intrigued that Paul doesn’t hesitate to command his friends to rejoice. Rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord! Rejoice always! It is a safeguard for you, he says. A safeguard is a precautionary measure, something which protects us against something which could harm us. That harmful something is entitlement. Entitlement is an attitude or belief that you deserve something, have a right to something. Entitlement fixes your focus on what you feel is lacking in your life. Entitlement breeds dissatisfaction and greed. And it steals joy.

In contrast, gratitude recognizes that everything we have is a gift. The psalmist says, You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every little thing (Ps 145:16). Though God does not give us everything we desire, I’ve learned to echo John Eldredge’s response to this promise when he says: “Not always, not on demand, but certainly more than we deserve.” (The Journey of Desire)

Practising gratitude as a discipline is a simple but powerful way to make the shift away from entitlement toward joy. Gratitude simply chooses to recognize the gifts of grace for what they are and to express your thanks. I encourage you to practise gratitude every day throughout this week.

Here are just a few suggestions of how you can practise the discipline of gratitude:

• thank God for 10 things before your feet hit the floor in the morning (or, for those who struggle with falling back to sleep, before you have breakfast)
• express gratitude instead of criticism or complaint (to your spouse, child, colleague…)
• sing or whistle a praise song as you go about your daily routine
• choose a routine moment when you will stop to thank God (ie: each trip to the coffee pot or the washroom, whenever you step into your car …)
• play praise music in your car instead of talk radio … and turn it off occasionally in order to speak out your own praise

I’m sure you’ll come up with more ways to practise gratitude. I’m curious how doing this will increase the fruit of joy in your life. Consider blogging your ideas and experience. 

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