Joy Despite Other People

The Joy Challenge

May 26

Teaching Notes

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Philippians 2:1-2

Don’t be a grump.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Philippians 2:12-18

The word for grumbling in the New Testament is the Greek word “gaggūsō.”

It refers to words spoken behind another’s back.
It is a murmuring or secret talk or whispering about someone where you issue a complaint or displeasure concerning another human being.
It is a form of gossip, a betrayal.

The second thing Paul said not to do is to argue. The Greek word he uses here is dialogismos, where we get our English word, dialogue.

This is no benign conversation he is talking about here.
These dialogues are filled with strife and hurtful words, often spoken in an elevated pitch, that tear families and friendships apart.
These are not words spoken behind ones back but that go toe to toe, face to face, with people.

The Negativity Trap

Take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

Not catching and stopping those thoughts leads to negative, toxic thoughts being wired into our brain; this can lead to depressive thoughts, which causes the body to go into stage two of stress. In response, the immune system produces proteins called cytokines, including one called Interleukin-6, as a positive, inflammatory response to protect the brain and body against stress. If the stress is not controlled, the depression increases, and the person moves into stage 3; over time the inflammation also increases and can lead to arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Caroline Leaf

The Joy Challenge

There are going to be things coming at you all day—things you see, things you hear, things you touch, things you smell, and things you taste.
It can be from watching the news, driving to work, participating in a conversation, walking into a bathroom, sitting in a meeting, taking a phone call, or even eating dinner.
Information from your senses will be sent to your thalamus.
At that moment, you have a quarter-second to decide either to give in to your natural tendencies toward grumpiness or to pause and evaluate what is really going on before you respond.

Today, take the most challenging situation you come across and determine that you are not going to let it bring you down.