WEEKLY WISDOM - JOY

Joy: a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight.

This is a leadership characteristic that is rarely mentioned. If you were to review all your leadership materials, review the training classes that you attended, re-read your company’s mission or vision statements, or completed an assessment on your strengths, I’m pretty confident that “Joy” is not listed. When taking a closer look at the depth of its meaning, the impact that it has on our lives and the influence it has on others, it should be a highly regarded leadership characteristic.

I truly believe and have learned over time that Joy is one of those foundational characteristics that puts your whole leadership and life into perspective. We should not be surprised when great things happen and expect that there will be challenging times occurring in our lives. It is in each of those moments that Joy should ground our responses. If we truly understand where the source of our Joy comes from then our mind-set, heart-set, and life-set will operate on a level above society’s norm.

Let me go a bit deeper.

In today's society, the way you react to circumstances or situations depends on the external forces that happen to you. Notice that I said react instead of responding. Reacting is how you handle issues that come your way externally. It is the afterthought in which you operate. When you respond, it is an intentional, thoughtful, and deliberate way of language and action. This comes from the leadership characteristic of Joy. If you are thinking that Joy is synonymous with happiness, then you’ve missed the mark. Happiness is predicated on external happenings while Joy is an internal knowing and confidence in the source of your Joy. My wife and I have a saying that God is always working for our good. No matter how stressed the situation seems to be or the amazing, unexpected results that we may experience, we know that He is always working for our good. He’s the source!

Think about these scenarios. When the job seems overwhelming or nothing seems to be going right- you discover God’s preparing you for perseverance and commitment. JOY! When life seems to be crashing all around, you understand that God has put a hedge of protection around you and your family. Joy! In your meditative and prayerful moments, you realize how much God has been taking care of you. Joy! I’ve concluded that joy is that transcendent place where you as a leader and in life reside despite external circumstances or influences. The deeper your relationship is with the Source, the greater your joy becomes!

The Bible is emphatic on where Joy comes from. Here are a few versus. James 1:2-4 (ESV), Romans 15:13 ESV), Proverbs 15:23 (ESV), and Psalm 126:1-5 (LB)

James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Proverbs 15: 23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

Psalm 126: 1When Jehovah brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! 2 How we laughed and sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” 3 Yes, glorious things! What wonder! What joy! 4 May we be refreshed as by streams in the desert. 5 Those who sow tears shall reap joy. (LB)

Remember that Joy is a leadership characteristic.

No matter your circumstances, in good and bad times know that God is working for your good and that He is the source of your Joy!

(EQUIPPING)

Exercise Your Power this week 

 1.      Make the determination in your life as to where your joy truly comes from versus happiness.

2.       Identify those things that truly cause you joy and list them.

3.       Read and meditate on the four scriptures listed above.