STUFF ABOUT GOD AND CHRISTIANITY | Dr. Ron Braley
Troubles come and go. Well, it seems they mostly come these days.
And then there’s work … and chores. Plenty of them. During all of that, peace of mind and cheerfulness can be elusive.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Things that can make us unhappy don’t have to drag us down. Believe it or not, we can be cheerful amidst them. Even mundane tasks such as doing the dishes, mowing the lawn or housework can be accomplished cheerfully and for God’s glory through pure joy.
What is “joy,” and how is that possible?
Joy is a cheerfulness that comes from within. It manifests as calm delight or great gladness. Unlike happiness, which depends on external forces, joy’s cheerfulness is generated deep within our souls.
Its power enables us to rejoice amidst trouble, as we see in James 1:2 — “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials.” The apostle echoes a similar sentiment in 2 Corinthians 7:4, which tells us rejoicing during hardships might seem impossible, but God’s spirit enables this ability. The creator gives his spirit to everyone who shows devotion by “making Jesus lord” (Romans 10:8-10). That spirit comforts us. Heals us.
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God also produces joy when we walk with him, as seen in Galatians 5:22 — “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …” When we allow the spirit to change and guide us, anything good is possible — even being of good cheer in the middle of trouble or tedious chores. Catherine of Siena, a 14th-century theologian, taught much about this.
She stressed that we could (and should) find joy in everyday tasks, thinking of them as acts of worshipful service. To her, daily duties should be a form of devotion; “even the most mundane tasks are opportunities to express love for God.”
Joy can be found even in the smallest or most mundane task, “considering nothing too little when done for God.” How can we do this practically? First, remember that God gave you life; every breath and act belongs to him. Therefore, we can imagine that everything we do is for him in some way. Second, the transforming power of God’s spirit changes how we look at chores or hardship — our minds are renewed when we are in harmony with him. Finally, turn boring stuff into challenges; congratulate yourself for accomplishing them or persevering through trials and trouble.
Summary: You can be joyful — of good cheer — during trouble or while doing boring tasks through the mind-transforming Spirit of God and approaching those situations differently.
So, where will we go next? Let’s explore “Jesus in the Underworld” as I correct faulty thinking and traditions about what Jesus did when he was in the earth for three days before his resurrection. Until then, walk by God’s spirit and find joy in anything, even the mundane.
God’s blessings and peace.
Braley, a Taylorbased minister, Air Force veteran, husband and father, earned a Master of Divinity degree from Regent University in 2018 and a Doctor of Ministry from the same school in 2021.
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