Cultivating an Attitude of Joy and Gratitude

Many times we believe that in order to feel joy, we must first have good circumstances around us. The Bible tells us exactly the opposite: in order to have good circumstances, we must first confess joy and cultivate joy within ourselves.

The only thing that justifies that idea is that the Christian’s joy is not a superficial joy; it is not what we would call happiness; it is not simply the result of a good circumstance that produces in us a superficially emotional attitude of happiness—no. It is the sublime joy of someone who knows that there are good things, even though, on the surface, the circumstances may not seem promising.

It is, let us say, the joy of the person who perhaps knows that right now the pantry does not have much food, but that tomorrow a check is coming that will soon make it possible to have a table filled with all kinds of delicious things, and who, while going through the trial, expects good things to come. It is the joy of the heir who, although perhaps going through poverty at a particular moment, knows that he will soon receive his inheritance and enter into a new life.

The Christian is always rejoicing because he is always filled with hope that God’s goodness will be manifested, that good things are coming soon, and that there is reason for us, even in a time of tribulation, to rejoice over all these things we have received from the Father.

And that is why I believe Paul says: “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” We give thanks to the Lord and rejoice because we have a great inheritance. That inheritance means that no matter what may be happening in our lives, there is always hope that something good will happen. It is the gratitude and joy that come from knowing that our life is hidden with Christ, as it says, that eternal life awaits us, that God is pleased with us, that we have access to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, that God has raised us to a higher standing, and that he now has a much higher purpose for us; and that should be a reason for joy and hope.

God has qualified us to share in the inheritance; it is not something we possess in ourselves, it is not something we have earned, and it is not as though we deserve it because of the way we behave or because of some quality of our character. Rather, God himself has qualified us; he has given us the right to share in that great inheritance possessed by all the saints, all the followers of Jesus Christ. And that should be a reason for joy and gratitude in our hearts: the fact that we are part of a great family that God has created through Christ Jesus.

So let us continue asking the Lord to create within us that attitude of joy and gratitude, which will then be the source of greater blessing and greater victory in our lives. May the Lord bless you, and until our next meditation, this is Pastor Roberto Miranda saying goodbye. God bless you.