Ecclesiastes 1-3 / 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 / Psalm 46 / Proverbs 22:15
Joy in every circumstance. That seems like an impossible concept. I have not always had joy, which is different from happiness. I was devastated when my daddy moved to Heaven. I was distraught when we left our church in 2018. I’ve been angry, hurt, sad, frustrated and sometimes those emotions have eaten away at my soul. How does one find joy in the middle of terrible things happening in life?
It’s not impossible. I still live with daily pain: the only time I’m unaware of the pain is when I’m asleep. However, I’m filled with joy. Joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit spoken of in Galatians 5:22-23. Joy does not depend on circumstances. Joy is God’s Spirit sustaining us in all things.
I was telling Jeff recently that even though we’re still facing tough times in many ways (family members passing away, physical and emotional pain, etc.) I have this intense joy in my spirit. I expect good things from God. He is healing people all around us and He is being faithful to care for those I love.
So, when I read about Paul’s hardships in 2 Corinthians 6:3-13, I understand what he’s saying. Granted, I have not been beaten physically, put in prison, or faced angry mobs. I understand serving people even when there is no thanks or respect. I understand being ignored when I’m pouring out my heart. These previous two scenarios don’t currently exist; they are things of the past. Thankfully we are leading a body of believers that is gracious, loving and kind!
There are several places in scripture that refer to a concept in verse 7 that I wanted to talk about for a minute. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. Nehemiah also understood both attacking and defending while they continued to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. And Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us about the importance of being always prepared with our armor on.
If you’re a spiritual builder, you understand the need to build, defend and attack all at once. There is no rest, except in Jesus Christ. Yes, there are times we must stand still and see God’s salvation (Exodus 14:13). Even Ephesians 6 tells us to stand. Our attack usually looks like prayer and worship. Our defense usually looks like putting up our shield which is faith. And our building usually looks like loving others and helping them grow.
The Kingdom of God is built differently from the kingdoms of earth, although some concepts are the same. Both have foundations, walls, bricks, stones, mortar, etc. A Kingdom foundation is Jesus Christ; an earthly foundation is concrete and rebar. A Kingdom wall is protection; an earthly wall is bricks or stones with mortar.
We must have our building materials properly accounted for and used. I was speaking with a friend a few days ago and we were talking about building walls – not proper walls, but walls we erect to protect ourselves. These walls are sometimes referred to as strongholds in our souls; they are the walls that must be removed for us to heal our souls. The Lord suddenly said to me, “Walls do not make proper foundations.”
In other words that wall I’ve erected to protect myself must not become a foundation upon which I build my life. The stronghold walls must be demolished and a proper foundation upon which to build must be set into place. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness. This is a proper foundation, Jesus Christ.
If you’re a Kingdom builder, choose the proper materials, have the correct blueprints and be sure to listen to the Master Builder for instructions. Pray, worship, talk to Father, protect, defend, stand. No one of these is proper all the time, therefore, we must listen to the instruction of Holy Spirit. When you live life this way, you will have joy regardless of your circumstances.
