There is a saying that a day on the golf course beats a day at work – so how bad can it be? I can tell you ho bad it can be.
I have always tracked fairways hit, greens hit, putts, and sand saves. I know how my round went by that. I also grew up with an accountant that reminded me of everything on the scorecard. If I talked about the birdie or the eagle, he would remind me of the snowman or the triple bogey.
Since the beginning of time, mankind has searched just about everywhere in hopes of finding joy in their lives. Today, most people are trying to find joy in something or someone outside of themselves (Golf, hobbies, people, things . . .).
We are bombarded with messages daily that rob us of our joy and send us in countess directions seeking joy.
But what exactly does God have to say about this quest for joy?
I Thessalonians 5:16 Be joyful always
If that was a command then we each know that we have already blown it! But what if it means that God placed joy into the very fiber of our being? I believe God gave us each a shot at experiencing joy. After all we are His most beloved creation. The problem is that as humans we search for joy in all the wrong places.
Therefore the joy we receive is just a sporadic sampling, a mere fraction of the real deal, a clever counterfeit of genuine joy. We look for joy in the external – not the internal or eternal.
The secret to a joy filled life is so close, so obvious, that we just miss it. We search everywhere but the right place. We all want something more from our lives in some way or another. Yet we struggle with how to get from where we are to where we want to go. For example:
“William” wants to earn more money for his family. He constantly complains that he is under paid rather than working to increase his value in the marketplace. It is not long before he begins to think – When they pay me more, I’ll start being more valuable.
“Sally” wants a closer relationship with her husband, but she constantly reminds herself of the reasons why that will never happen. Rather than expecting the best in her marriage, she is mentally retreating and resigning herself to a future of disappointment.
We live in a society that is bent on highlighting what is wrong with just about everything. Good news does not make the front page. A 70 percent chance of sunshine is expressed as a 30 percent chance of rain.
We are not immune in the church. We walk out of church on Sunday mornings like Entertainment critics, discussing what we liked or didn’t like rather than considering what God was trying to say to us through the message or music.
Kids bring home grade cards with As, Bs, and a C, and we discuss how the grades can improve as if the better grades didn’t exist. Given enough time we can find fault with just about anything.
We constantly put the Spotlight in the wrong place. What if it didn’t have to be that way? What if living with joy was our birthright. What if it is God’s intention that we be joyful always.
Being joy-filled does not mean that your life is perfect. It doesn’t mean that your life is great. What it does mean is that you emphatically trust God and believe that He has great plans for your life, regardless of what is happening right now.
Joy is infectious and uncontainable. Joy is an outward sign of an inward faith in the promises of God.
Here is the problem: our human nature with an assist from modern culture, promotes the idea that solutions must be deep and complicated in order to be of value. But lasting solutions are often the simplest in nature.
Joy is within us, but it must be released. The secret conversations you hold in the privacy of your own mind are shaping your destiny little by little. With every thought that races through your mind you are continually reinventing yourself and your future.
Research indicates that the average person thinks about 50,000 thoughts per day. This is either good news or bad news because every thought moves you either toward your God-given potential or away from it. No thoughts are neutral. Whatever you direct your mind to think about will ultimately be revealed for everyone to see. What you persistently think eventually, or inevitability, crystallizes into the words you speak and then the things you do.
You have authority over your thoughts. God will not force you to exercise this part of your free will any more than God will force you exercise, eat healthy, read the Bible, or wear your seat belt. It is your choice.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
To find the joy in life we must renew our minds and be willing to go against culture. Do you know that you cannot be joy filled without thinking joyful thoughts?
You cannot worry without thinking worrisome thoughts.
You cannot be afraid without thinking fearful thoughts.
Can you remember a time when you were thinking of hope and happiness but felt depressed at the same time? Can you imagine acting lovingly while thinking bitter thoughts of anger and resentment?
While thinking, you have but that moment in time. You have the gift of the present moment! As a result thinking, talking, and worrying about what you don’t want can never bring you what you do want. The importance of right thinking is emphasized throughout scripture:
Prov 23:7 For as man thinks in his heart, so is he
Prov 4:23 Above every charge keep thy heart, For out of it are the outgoings of life
Job 3:25 What I was afraid of has come upon me. What filled me with fear has happened.
Matt 15:18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart
Jesus knew that our persistent thoughts would eventually lead to action. Why else equate lustful thoughts with lustful deeds? The way you think can either multiply or shrink your gifts or talents. What have you been thinking?
I’m never going to be happy That’s just the way life is
This probably won’t work I just don’t have what it takes
I am not worthy I could never do that
I can’t That’s typical
That’s just my luck We’re just growing apart
I’m never going to remember his name It’s hopeless
I have to accept my limitations I’m just not creative
I’m just not meant to be happy We can’t agree on anything
I am Murphy’s Law Nothing good ever happens to me
The Bible teaches that you will reap what you sow.
That is also true in your thought life.
As much as you might try, you cannot think one thing and experience something else. You cannot think critically about your spouse, even if you believe it is warranted, and reap true intimacy. You cannot think negatively and live positively any more than you can plant apple seeds and harvest oranges.
If you desire to live a joy-filled life you must keep your thoughts fixed on the things of God. Even though we are free to choose what we think about, we often tell ourselves destructive things that limit us. Pay attention to almost any conversation for about ten minutes and you will hear toxic self-talk, whining, commiserating, blaming, condemning, and justifying. Some will insist they are not negative but merely realistic. The rationalizations we give may be convincing and socially acceptable but there are consequences for the way we think.
I had this epiphany while on the golf course . . .
Have you ever stopped to consider that the golf course was designed to be played from the tee to the fairway to the green. Yet the average golfer spends most of his time thinking about all the places he doesn't want his ball to go. All of the hazards were put there to distract you and alter your thought process. They are there to deceive you. Life is the same way.
What we dwell on. What we think on will affect our actions and outcomes.
Paul gave us the key to finding joy in Philippians 4:8:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
This is our daily thought to-do list. Paul is reminding us of the choice we have every moment of every day. There will always be some junk in our lives and there will always be some greatness. Where you have been, what you have done, and where you - matter far less than where you are trying to get to. Your health and your finances are in outstanding condition, but you’re facing learning difficulties with one of your children. Maybe your kids are thriving, but your marriage is in a rut. Perhaps your family is wonderful, but you are disappointed with your friends, your weight, or your faith.
You will always have something to complain about, BUT you will always have some blessings to count. You have the choice to count your blessings or choose to complain. When you choose to focus on the positive, by nature you will seek to find more positive things to dwell on. You will eventually find more joy, more enthusiasm, and more gratitude. Your outlook becomes contagious and you create a virtuous cycle rather than a vicious cycle. Think about it.
whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Today, this week, this month, the rest of the year . . . .
Things will not always go right. On the golf course of life, your ball will not always end up where you intended it to be. It is in those moments that you are confronted with a choice – how will you respond? What thoughts will you have? Can you find the joy in life that God intended for you?
whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
May you discover the joy that God has intended for you.
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