How to live joyfully in a world that hates you

There are two kinds of joy I experienced in life.  First, is the cheap joy which occurs when I satisfy something from my flesh or soul; like buying a favorite item.   Or, there’s the deep joy when my spirit is at rest with God amidst a world that hates you.  Just how do we get there?  Here’s what I discovered.

I learned there are three things I need to be psychologically healthy; Security, Trust, and Love.  If any of these life foundations are broken or missing, then I will experience wounds in my heart.  My heart will become hardened and cutoff from love.   Because of the anger and resentment within me I will be blinded to my own self-destructive behavior.  No longer a whole person, I will become dysfunctional; unable to receive nor give love.

In today’s scripture reading, Jesus states the following;

“Just remember, when the unbelieving world hates you, they first hated me. If you were to give your allegiance to the world, they would love and welcome you as one of their own. But because you won’t align yourself with the values of this world, they will hate you. I have chosen you and taken you out of the world to be mine.” John 15: 18

This is tough medicine.  I have a natural need to be liked and accepted by everyone.  Rejection is painful.  So, if I need security, love, and trust, how does one live in this world with a healthy state of mind?  Who wants to live in a place where people hate you?

For myself, the key is knowing that my sense of value and love comes from God; not the world.  Since the world and its people are imperfect how can I expect perfect love to come from imperfect people?  That’s crazy talk! Imperfect people have wounded hearts filled with pride, anger, self-centeredness, and unforgiveness. On the other hand, God is perfect, and I can expect perfect love from Him. Isn’t that healthy talk?  

I must remember that I am spirit, soul and body.  My relationship with God is spirit-to-spirit; not soul to spirit.  It’s the same way as when two people live in union with their hearts who know each other intimately without the need of a conversation. Therefore, my spirit leads my soul and body; not the other way around.  Jesus once said, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. John 6:63

I learned the love of God the Father and his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ is a creative, life-giving love that produces immeasurable joy and lasting friendship for all who accept it. God loves the world so much because he created it to reflect his glory. And he created each one of us in his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). He wants us to be united with himself in an inseparable bond of unity, peace, and joy that endures for all eternity.

Jesus goes on to say; “I love each of you with the same love that the Father loves me. You must continually let my love nourish your hearts. If you keep my commands, you will live in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands, for I continually live nourished and empowered by his love.” John 15: 9-10 

Therefore, to live a joyful life in a hostile place filled with imperfect people, I must allow my spirit to be in union with God’s spirit.  By having God’s love nourish and empower me, I can receive the love, trust, and security, to live in a toxic environment. I know God protects me and I can trust him eternally with my life and spirit. Like all successful people, I must put first things first, and that is to acknowledge God in all things and to be immersed in his word.  His word and truth will guide me in all things.  By knowing and experiencing my spiritual intimacy with the Lord, I can live joyfully in a world that hates you.