Fighting for Joy

Yesterday I finished reading one of the most incredible books I've ever read, "Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist" by John Piper. The book is all about having joy in the Lord and pursuing pleasure in God. At the back of the book, an appendix is included, entitled, "How Then Shall We Fight for Joy?" The appendix has 15 ways to fight for joy along with much Scripture. I wanted to share this list with you, as the struggle for joy is constant in many, many Christians' lives. I found this list very encouraging!

  1. Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift. (Galatians 5:22; Psalm 51:12; John 6:44)
  2. Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly. (2 Corinthians 1:24; Philippians 1:25; 2 Timothy 4:7; 1 Timothy 6:12; Matthew 24:12-13)
  3. Resolve to attack all known sin in your life. (Romans 6:11-13; Romans 8:13)
  4. Learn the secret of gutsy guilt: how to fight like a justified sinner. (Micah 7:8-9)
  5. Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God for Who He is. (Psalm 34:8; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2; Psalm 9:10)
  6. Meditate on the Word of God day and night. (Psalm 23:3; Psalm 19:7; Psalm 19:8; Jeremiah 15:16; John 15:11; Psalm 1:2-3; Romans 15:13; Matthew 4:4; Romans 10:17; John 20:31; Galatians 3:5; Romans 15:4; John 17:17; John 8:32; Ephesians 6:17; 1 John 2:14)
  7. Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God. (John 16:24; Psalm 90:14; Psalm 85:6; Psalm 51:12; Mark 9:24; Ephesians 1:18; Psalm 119:18; Psalm 119:36)
  8. Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself. (Psalm 42:5)
  9. Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight. (1 Samuel 23:16; Hebrews 3:12-13; Proverbs 13:20)
  10. Be patient in the night of God's seeming absence. (Psalm 40:1-3)
  11. Get the rest, exercise, and proper diet that your body was designed by God to have. (1 Corinthians 6:20)
  12. Make a proper use of God's revelation in nature. (Psalm 19:1; Matthew 6:26; Matthew 6:28-29)
  13. Read great books about God and biographies of great saints. (Hebrews 10:25; Hebrews 11:1-40; Hebrews 13:7)
  14. Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others - witness and mercy. (Isaiah 58:10-11)
  15. Get a global vision for the cause of Christ and pour yourself out for the unreached. (Psalm 67:1-2, 6-7)