Our joy is not to be restricted to our own circumstances or to our own achievements,

but that we are to be able to find an occasion of joy for other people, for their achievements,

for their successes, and for their bounty.

The Apostle Paul commands us to rejoice with those who rejoice.

So often, we only rejoice when we rejoice, when something good has happened to us.

But that is not the Christian way.

You're listening to Renewing Your Mind. I'm your host, Nathan W. Bingham.

Cultivating joy in the midst of hardship or in the midst of others who may be prospering

while you're not isn't easy. But that is what we as Christians are called to pursue.

That's why I do want to remind you that you can study this topic further.

When you gain lifetime access to this complete series on joy

and receive R.C. Sproul's book, Can I Have Joy in My Life?

When you give a donation of any amount at renewingyourmind.org.

And when you do, we'll also send you his Christmas devotional, the Advent of Glory.

Well, here's R.C. Sprold to ask a simple question that has a profound answer.

How do you spell joy?

I think all of us can think back in our lives to particular moments or occasions or

episodes in which we experienced an extraordinary measure of elation or of joy, not only individually,

but also in terms of our communities or even our nations.

I can think of a couple of episodes that I think I'll never forget as long as I live.

One of them took place when I was six years old, and I was in the street in Chicago, and I was playing

stickball.

...