Inspired Joy

Sometime back in a Daily Walk devotional, there was an interesting list within a message titled, “How to be Miserable.” Sounds like good reading doesn’t it? Here’s part of the list: 

“Think about yourself. Talk about yourself. Use “I” as often as possible. Expect to be appreciated. Be suspicious. Be jealous and envious. Be sensitive to slights. Never forgive a criticism. Trust nobody but yourself. Insist on consideration and respect. Never forget a service you have rendered. Do as little as possible for others.”

In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul seems to give us the opposite advice. How to be joyful. In fact, this has to be one of his most joy-filled letters – in spite of the fact that he is writing from jail!

In chapter 2, Paul writes, “…make my joy complete… Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Look not to your own interests but to the interest of others.”

Something happens when we get outside ourselves when we move beyond our own issues and concerns, and reach out to help others. And as we shift our energy and thoughts away from ourselves, we gain a larger perspective, and we make room for deeper joy and fulfillment.

Let us pray: God of Hope, some of us today are hurting very deeply. Some of us can’t even begin to imagine moving beyond the pain of the moment to have enough energy to take on other people’s problems. We ask you to meet each of us even now at the point of our deepest need. Surround us with your healing grace. And, even as we are being healed, use us as instruments of your healing and peace for others, fulfilled in your service. For we pray in the name of the One who came that we might have abundant life. Amen.