Week of November 2nd – Joy By Seeing Circumstances Through God’s Eyes

Key Thought:
People are looking for ways to enjoy their lives. For some, this means trying to squeeze some thrills out of their short weekend before having to go back to the grind. For others, joy is wrapped up in accomplishing a series of calculated life goals that guide their every decision. Whatever the path taken, it seems that most people’s attempt to find joy ends up inextricably tied to the circumstances of their life. Working to manipulate circumstances in their favor is their answer to finding joy.

Unfortunately, life can’t always be planned and choreographed in such a way as to ensure that circumstances will consistently work out in our favor. Unexpected troubles can hit us like an earthquake – without warning. Additionally, the areas of life that we expected to bring us happiness, don’t always pay out like we had imagined. The only way to ensure true happiness and joy in this life is to wrap up our hope for happiness in Jesus Christ. If we build our relationship with him and keep our focus on him, he will give us joy that transcends our circumstances.

If you want to begin to experience God’s joy that is unaffected by life’s circumstances, find out the answer to these two questions every time a troubling event invades your life:

1. How will this circumstance glorify God?
2. How can I take advantage of bad circumstances?

Bible Reading:
Monday – Philippians 1:1-11
Tuesday – Philippians 1:12-18
Wednesday – Philippians 1:19-30
Thursday – Psalm 4:7
Friday – Psalm 13:5

Key Questions to Ponder During the Week:

1. What types of things bring you temporary happiness?
2. Think about a time when something you had hoped would bring you great joy instead ended up leaving you feeling empty. What were the circumstances that caused this?
   
3. How did you handle the last time that a difficult circumstance hit your life like an earthquake?
4. Can you honestly relate to the idea that contentment and happiness are possible in the middle of a troubling circumstance?
5. Why do many Christians not seem to live lives that are full of joy?
6. How is genuine joy in a Christian’s life something that glorifies God?