CHOOSING JOY

Intro. - Is joy a choice? Quote from DJ #37 - “Joy is an attitude that determines good feelings, rather than a feeling that determines attitude. That would make joy a decision.”

Maintain A Grateful Heart

Paul thanks god for the Philippians 1:3-6

Paul looks positively at his imprisonment 1:12-14

Paul rejoices that Christ is being preached 1:15-18c

Focus On Future Hope

Paul sees future deliverance 1:18d-19

Paul didn’t worry about the future 1:21

Pursue Godly Goals

Paul’s desire was to know Christ 3:8-10

Pursuing Godly goals takes constant effort 3:14

The goal will be reached 3:20-21

Pray

Prayer will release us from anxiety 4:6

Joy will grow through the praying

God will grant us peace leading to joy 4:7

Think Godly Thoughts

We choose what we think about 4:8

Concentrate on the good things

Learn Contentment

Paul learned this lesson 4:11-13

“When we worry over the things we don’t have instead of finding contentment in what we do have, joy shrivels and dies” (DJ #37).

Conclo. - Choose joy!!