THE IMMUNITY OF JOY

THE IMMUNITY OF JOY

Philippians 4:2-7

² I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Nehemiah 8:9-10

⁹ And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. ¹⁰ Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

THERE IS A DEMONIC AGENDA IN THE MIDST OF THIS

Luke 21:25-26

²⁵ “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; ²⁶ men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth…

I.              JOY FACTS

A.   Joy is a choice

“…do not mourn nor weep.”

B.   Lack of Joy drains strength

“…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

C.   Joy is available 24/7

Galatians 5:22

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness... 

II.             HOW TO WALK IN JOY

A.   Command your emotions

Psalm 118:24

²⁴ This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

B.   Don’t be offended

·         Some offended with God

·         Some with others trying to help

·         Some because of the stress and anxiety - Snap

Psalm 119:165

¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.

Romans 12:19

¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Proverbs 17:22

²² A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.

“When we hold onto grudges and resentment, it’s like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick,” says Angela Buttimer, MS, NCC, RYT, LPC, a licensed psychotherapist at Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness at Piedmont. “It causes us to carry negative, tense energy in our biology.”

“Living in a chronic state of tension disables your body’s repair mechanisms, increasing inflammation and the stress hormone cortisol in the body,” she explains. “Forgiveness engages the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps your immune system function more efficiently and makes room for feel-good hormones like serotonin and oxytocin.”

If you are tempted to dwell on an offense, remind yourself what you are doing to your body when you run the scenario in your mind again.

“Your brain doesn’t know what is real and what is imagined,” says Buttimer. “When you replay in your mind an experience you had six months ago, your body reacts as if you’re having the same experience over and over again.”

A.   Keep things in proper perspective (could be worse)

James 1:2-4

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

B.   Lighten up

         Psalm 131

 ¹ Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. ² Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward - Kurt Vonnegut

The Benefits of Laughter

Physical Health Benefits  Mental Health Benefits      Social Benefits

-Boosts immunity                 -Adds joy and zest to life            -Strengthens relationships  

-Lowers stress hormones   -Eases anxiety and fear               -Attracts others to us

-Decreases pain                   -Relieves stress                           -Enhances teamwork

-Relaxes your muscles                                                              -Helps defuse conflict

-Prevents heart disease 

·         Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes.

·         Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

·         Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

·         Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Checklist for lightening up

When you find yourself overtaken by what seems to be a horrible problem, ask these questions:

·         Is it really worth getting upset?

·         Is it worth upsetting others?

·         Is it that important?

·         Is it that bad?

·         Is the situation irreparable?

·         Is it really your problem?

A.   Take life one day at a time 

Matthew 6:31-34

 ³¹ “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

B.   Live with a clear conscience

  Acts 24:16

¹⁶ This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.