Philippians: Reasons for Joy

Sometimes causes for joy come in a whisper. To learn how to find joy is to learn how to notice what normally goes unnoticed. Joy names what is good and beautiful and right and noble. It then makes a glad celebration of the good. Joy, therefore, teaches us to see moments differently. Joy is less about waiting for the big moment of recognition and more about seeing traces of Jesus' work in the ordinary among friends. For this reason, circumstances can sting us and yet not take our capacity for joy. Where does Paul look for joy when he is unjustly treated and in prison?

• The thought of his friends, their love for Jesus and their partnership with Paul (1:4-5)
• That Christ has the last word even when people falter and illusion taunts us (1:18)
• The prayers of friends in his hardship and the power of Christ for a different future (1:19)
• The thought that his friends will grow and be strengthened by Jesus through Paul's life (1:25)
• The thought of him being united with his friends for the gospel (2:2)
• The thought that at the end of his life, he will be with Christ and his life will have mattered because of Christ (2:18)
• That his friend who was sick got better and served the Lord (2:27, 29-30)
• That the Lord is present in this very moment and at work (3:1)
• The stories, testimony and hope that his friends have in Christ (4:1)
• The Lord is present and true regardless of the present circumstances (4:4)
• That his friends helped him in his time of material need (4:10)

It seems that joy is closely tied to gratitude doesn't it? We learn with Paul, to "thank my God in all remembrance" (1:3). We call to mind the good provisions of God for our friends, for ourselves and we become thankful. Thankful thoughts give birth to joy.

From Paul it seems that each day as a follower of Jesus is mixed with sorrow and joy. We learn to candidly embrace the sorrows. But we equally are meant to learn to give thanks for the presence of what is good in the ordinary. Jesus intends to teach us this. He who spoke of his joy while on the verge of betrayal and unjust crucifixion (John 17), teaches Paul. From Paul, we too can learn to smile untritely amid tears and darkness. He is faithful and joy invites your notice today.