Bruce E. Zoeller founded The Christian Advantage (TCA) in March of 2005. TCA is a continuing education, peer counsel, accountability, and prayer program for Christian business and ministry leaders and owners in and around Louisville. Bruce became an entrepreneur in 1990, purchased and sold a marketing company, is a general partner in a local tourist show cave in Corydon, Indiana, and has served on several boards for profit and non-profit organizations. He graduated from the UofL Speed School in 1985. Bruce’s favorite hobby is being a husband, father, and grandfather.

Joy

Joy

As I write this blog, we are in the Christmas season. “Joy to the world” is a favorite song for many this time of the year.

I wonder how many people know the secret to joy. It is different from happiness, celebration, and excitement. It has components of peace, contentment, and purpose.

James 1:2, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” lets me know joy is possible in the midst of difficulties, challenges, and outright evil.

So, joy is NOT dependent on circumstances, surroundings, or the activities of others.

Does joy therefore come from within?

How much does the amount of joy in one’s life depend on how the person thinks, what they believe, and the choices one makes?

Since this has been my life verse for over twenty years, I have pondered and practiced this verse deeply.

It started in simply believing it is possible. I do not believe we would be instructed in Scripture to have joy in tough situations if it was not possible. And YES, this belief stems from a belief the WORD of God is inspired by GOD, was accurately recorded, and has continued to be properly translated throughout the ages.

For me the second step was practicing having joy when life was not as I would like it to be. I am reminded of seeing a woman with numerous locks on her hands and feet being lowered in a transparent water cylinder, being without oxygen for more than three minutes while she freed herself from the locks and chains. I am confident she repeatedly practiced holding her breath for extended periods of time before attempting this particular demonstration. She would repeat this feat several times each day. My perspective is this skill became a part of who she is.

Most skills once developed need to be continually exercised to be maintained.

Thus, I believe to enjoy the fullness of joy, one needs to continue exercising this characteristic on a regular basis.

I do not believe we need to set the stage to practice joy. There are plenty of opportunities in the course of life for us to experience trials, difficulties, and disappointments.

A third component for me to develop consistent joy in life was to be faithful to practice: seeing things from God’s perspective, reminding myself it is possible, accepting God’s grace when failing to live up to the standard I aspired to reach, and trusting God would get me there as I continued to strive for an increase in joy in my life.

Since joy is an inward experience, others will seldom know when you have a fullness of joy. Do not be discouraged if someone claims it is impossible to have joy in every situation.

I challenge you to join me on this journey. Believe, practice, and persevere to build up your joy muscle.

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Bruce Zoeller

Bruce E. Zoeller founded The Christian Advantage (TCA) in March of 2005. TCA is a continuing education, peer counsel, accountability, and prayer program for Christian business and ministry leaders and owners in and around Louisville. Bruce became an entrepreneur in 1990, purchased and sold a marketing company, is a general partner in a local tourist show cave in Corydon, Indiana, and has served on several boards for profit and non-profit organizations. He graduated from the UofL Speed School in 1985. Bruce’s favorite hobby is being a husband, father, and grandfather.

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