CHARA (Khar-ah)
When a man is gloomy*, everything seems to go wrong; when he is cheerful, everything seems right – Proverbs 15:15 (LB)
Gloomy = Down, discouraged, disappointed, demotivated
When things are going wrong in your life, check your gloomy meter.
You have a positive attitude even if it’s not right.
This “Charatis” is something you do not generate or make up.
We cannot leave home without it;
We cannot come home without it;
We cannot afford to be without it wherever we go.
We cannot go and do any successful outreach ministry without it.
You cannot switch it on and off. It’s either real or it isn’t.
Many well-meaning Christians put on a mask and try to act it out, but the slightest crises, trouble, confrontation, discouragement and even offence, will reveal the true you if this is not real in your heart and lifestyle.
The bible says it’s our strength.
It’s a 3-letter word in English and without it we are very poor, weak and don’t yet fully understand the presence of God in our life.
What “Chara” means is “JOY”.
Joy = wellbeing, delight, blessedness, triumph
Did you know that there is a major difference between HAPPINESS and JOY?
Sad to say many Christians, wish, hope and pray for happiness when it’s really JOY they should be after.
The unsaved cannot understand or even find joy – It’s for the saved, born-again children of God. The world can’t give it or take it away.
The word HAPPINESS as described in several dictionaries is: – The state of being happy, and the pleasurable experience that springs from possessions (in dinge); enjoyment (genot) as one’s happiness depends on oneself.
In a nutshell, HAPPINESS depends on circumstances so, in order to be happy all the circumstances must be right otherwise, NO HAPPINESS.
Happiness depends on Happenings.
JOY on the other hand is not dependent on things that happen outside of my body neither by circumstances.
It’s everything to do with an inner happening as a direct result of an inner experience.
The dictionary says: – Joy is more intense than happiness, deeper than gladness; it’s more than just being cheerful (opgewonde).
Joy is a result of Jesus touching your life, and you being obedient to that call.
When we obey, God produces:
Ecclesiastes 2:26 – For the person who pleases Him (obedience), God gives wisdom and knowledge and JOY. (Joy is something we tend to overlook)
Joy is not an optional extra, which I either take or leave. Joy is a real force.
Nehemiah 8:10B – The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Joy is not a warm happy feeling you’re supposed to have now and then when things are going well. It’s much more than that.
Joy is one of the most powerful spiritual forces in the world. Nehemiah 8:10B Here’s why. If I removed from this scripture “of the Lord” it would say JOY is strength.
The two are interchangeable. When I have God I got JOY – when I got JOY I have GOD.
That’s what makes Joy so crucial (kritiek).
You can’t live a life of faith in the Lord with out being strong in the Lord.
When God wants you strong, Joy is what He uses to do the job.
James 1:2a (NIV) – Count it all joy…
Joy is not just a state of mind.
It’s not a passing emotion.
Joy is a real force that the devil cannot stand up against.
When you have joy; when you should be miserable and circumstances are “nag”, you throw the enemy into major confusion.
Just as fear has to yield to faith, discouragement has to yield to joy.
The good news: Joy is one of the fruit of the Spirit and you have it living right there inside of you.
It’s not a gift. It’s a fruit, a direct produce from the vine. Galatians 5:22 – Love, Joy…
John 15:11 – I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your Joy may be complete.
You are going to have to develop it, confess it, live by it if you want to enjoy its power.
Philemon 7 – For I have derived great joy and comfort and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints (who are your fellow Christians) have been cheered and refreshed through you (my) brother.
Too many Christians wait for the outcome to determine their attitude when their attitude determines their outcome.
The joy in your life will bring joy to others.
No joy = no enthusiasm, no encouragement (you will become a joy killer)
Question: What does your life bring to those around you? Discouragement, sadness, negativity, rebelliousness? Or do you impart Joy?
Psalm 126:2 – 2“We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
The unsaved world will see something and hear and be attracted to Jesus → It’s by our Joy.
Psalm 16:11 – You will show me the path of life “in your presence is fullness of Joy” at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
The simple fact is this if you don’t actively spend time in the presence of God – we lose our Joy and become weak.
Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Continual un-addressed sin, unforgiveness, bitterness, strife, luke warmness, leaving our first love is the major cause of missing His presence and the result: – NO JOY
David understood this after sinning.
Psalm 51:8-12 – “Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Can I encourage you; “JOY” restored is on the Heart of God each day – for His children, as a direct result of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
