More Joy! (in work?)
I enjoy reading–do you?
Last week I finished a novel–a romantic suspense. But, while I don’t remember much about the plot, I do remember snippets of a conversation between two characters that went something like this:
“Happiness is overrated.”
“What do you mean?”
“Happiness is fleeting–but, joy is lasting.”
Joy can only be real if people look upon their life as a service and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness.” Leo Tolstoy
Hmmmm…
I admit that I’ve not spent a lot of time pondering the difference between happiness and joy, but perhaps I should. It happens to fit into Part 2 of my blog on “Work with Joy!”
How would you compare happiness and joy? What’s the difference? (Sounds like a topic for a later post!)
But, for now, I need to get back on task…
In last week’s post, I briefly reviewed the first of eight strategies to help us Work with Joy!
Be sure to select a career, job or vocation that honors God. Does your current work honor God?
Give your work the honor it deserves. Is your work drudgery or joy? Are you working for God’s glory or some other reason?
Demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit in the workplace and at home. Do we show love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in ALL situations? (I’m still a work in progress–how about you?)
Focus on the positive rather than dwelling on the negative. Last week I admitted to whining, complaining, and pouting (NOT positive), but I’m doing better).
For this week, we’ll touch on four more:
Keep the lines of communication open–in both directions. When we have good relationships in the work place, at home, and other locations, we are able to speak freely and openly. When coworkers or family members complete a task well, let them know with appropriate praise. However, if correction is needed, do so appropriately in private, without anger or accusation. Avoid gossip.
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:14-15.
Honor those who work in unpaid settings. Sometimes those who work the hardest receive little or no monetary gain for their labors. 
Let’s not forget to give stay-at-home moms, working moms, low paid wage earners, farm laborers, and volunteer workers the honor they deserve.
Keep our work in perspective. We need to be careful not to let our work totally consume our lives or interfere with our spiritual or family relationships. We can learn from the conversation between Jesus and Martha:
Martha, Martha…you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed–or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42
Rest. Both our work and our rest should honor God. Scripture guides us to seek adequate rest from our labors. Rest allows us to refresh and renew ourselves so that we may face the new day with love and grace.
There remains then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Hebrews 4:9-10
With prayer and faith, I believe we can find abundant joy in our work. I can’t promise you that it is easy.
As we approach the Labor Day week-end, perhaps this is a good time to think about our work and our rest. Are we honoring God with both? Wishing you a blessed week and a happy and joyful Labor Day week-end!
Heart Renovation: A Construction Guide to Godly Character is available from lighthousbiblestudies.com or Amazon.com. “Work with Joy” is one of 60 segments in this inspiring Bible Study.
“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” Albert Schweitzer
Great topic! It’s counter cultural to consider work a God-given gift, but there sure is joy in doing a job well and knowing it touches other people’s lives.
Yes, you are right. I have to remind myself of that when I have a “whining” session. Wishing you a blessed day!
This post is a timely reminder for me to remember Who gives us time and to have joy as I spend each day whether working, cleaning, writing, or helping someone. Thanks!
So glad you stopped by, Tammy. As you know, our blogs are often a major lesson for the author (at least mine usually are for me). It’s a true blessing when we are able to touch someone else. Thank you, my friend!
You covered so many aspects of work in this post and connected them to Scripture. Thank you for mentioning unpaid workers we should all notice and support in prayer. Maybe part of our “job” is to encourage those who work diligently. Great post!
Thank you for your encouragement, Jeannie! I agree, it is important for us to validate and support others–so often we take for granted the hard work of others and only focus on the negative (if we notice mistakes or a job poorly completed). I’m trying to do better about recognizing the hard work of family, friends, co-workers, etc.
I’ve given some thought to the joy v/s happiness question. There are different points of view, and respect others’ opinions, but here’s what I think: https://notaboutme1151.wordpress.com/2015/11/06/on-joy.
Also, I like that you’re operating from the assumption that God is in our “secular” work as much as the rest of our lives.
Thank you for sending the link to your blog, Carole. What an awesome post! Yes, I think that God must be in every aspect of our work (secular, home, church, out in public, etc.) for us to live as His child. Wishing you a blessed fall, my friend. Keep writing those wonderful messages.