Blog 41: Belly LaughgdharpoolDec 4, 20232 min read My family recently attended O by Circue du Soleil. Like most Circue du Soleil shows it was amazing. Sitting in the row in front of us was a family with younger children. I guessed the little girl in front of us was 7 or 8. I remember her because of her laugh. Every time the clowns appeared she would let out a deep belly laugh. The type of laugh that comes from innocence and that represents pure joy. I thought of my own children and remembered hearing them laugh like that, laughs with complete abandonment.As we grow up, life happens. Eventually our struggles and scars muffle the laughs of pure joy. While joy as we age matures, it is still achievable. James challenges us to, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” (James 1:2). Paul encourages us to, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice”. Philippians 4:4. In Proverbs 17:22, David warns us that, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”James, Paul, and David were not writing from denial of their circumstances but rather despite their circumstances. James saw his brother killed. Paul has his world view flipped and then suffered torture and punishment. David saw his family and kingdom divided, and seemingly the world turned on him. Yet, each of them proclaimed a sense of joy, not because of their circumstances but in spite of them.Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11. Real joy comes from faith. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13). “I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:25).In other words, joy comes from believing that it may be entirely possible that there is a God who loves us, and despite the chaos of this world and our lives, despite our circumstances and our scars, and despite our emotions at the moment, everything will work out. Proverbs 3:5-6.
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