Lisa Notes: 5 things about pleasure

5 things about pleasure

The true dimensions of a soul are seen in its delights.
~ John Piper

...And do not be grieved,
for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10

While I spent 2011 learning to depend more on God, I also was learning to delight more in Him.

Why?

Because if Christians—the very ones who’ve been granted abundant life already—can’t live in true joy, why would anyone want to become one?

That doesn’t mean we won’t have sorrows and pains. But underneath it all, we’ve been gifted to live life with a depth of pleasure unknown to those without the Spirit.

Here are five things I learned about delight:

1. Delight in Jesus
God’s first and highest pleasure is in his Son, so mine should be, too. I looked hard at scriptures that show where God finds delight, and decided I should find delight in the same places. God was most pleased with Jesus, so my delight should center there as well.

By my deepest pleasure being in him, I always have my greatest delight with me, regardless of what is going on around me.

2. He wants me to enjoy
When I take pleasure in what God gives me, it brings him pleasure, too. I honor the giver when I enjoy the gift.

Don’t we want our kids to enjoy the presents we give them? Of course; we take after our Father. So enjoy what he gives you.

3. Make pleasure work for you
God’s gifts are protection, refreshing you to keep you strong. Enjoy them responsibly within his boundaries. Let them lead you to God, not away from him.

We’re too weak to live without pleasures. God knows this; ask him for the right pleasures that will keep you satisfied in him. To borrow from Lewis’s Screwtape, God created pleasure, not Satan. Satan has to twist it before it’s useful to him.

4. Find pleasure in others
Don’t wait for others to be perfect before you enjoy being with them. Let your family know they’re a source of your joy—even with their faults.

And strive to become a source of joy to them—even with your faults.

5. Go for the best
Because we’re surrounded by multiple opportunities for pleasures, be picky to delight yourself in the best, godly ones.

Don’t fill up on junk pleasures with little value or godliness. Cultivate a strong appetite to enjoy what God designed you to enjoy.

Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

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Related:

Books I used to study delight in 2011:

The Pleasures of God by John Piper
Pure Pleasure by Gary Thomas
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Spiritual Depression by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Comments (17)

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Barbara H. 65p · 710 weeks ago

Very good points. People who think there is no joy in the Christian life just have no idea.
My recent post Friday’s Fave Five

1 reply · active 710 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 710 weeks ago

I agree, Barbara. Even though there are hard calls in the Christian life, the joys surpass them all. Both now and later.
My recent post Why your man might hate church

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faith · 710 weeks ago

oh this was soooo good to read! i especially like 1, 3,4, 5! whoo hoo!! I know so many christians who, sadly, just don't "get" the joy of the Lord or don't delight in His treasures!....thanks for this special FFF!!!

1 reply · active 710 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 710 weeks ago

Thanks, Faith. I really think we need more celebration among Christians!
My recent post Why your man might hate church

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Willow · 710 weeks ago

At first, I read #3 as Make Work Pleasure--meaning that we should choose to take pleasure in the work God gives us to do which is also true.

Happy New Year!

1 reply · active 710 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 710 weeks ago

That is a great point, Willow. Reminds me of Ecclesiastes:

"To enjoy your work and to accept your lot in life—that is indeed a gift from God. The person who does that will not need to look back with sorrow on his past, for God gives him joy."

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 (LB)
My recent post Why your man might hate church

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Sarah · 710 weeks ago

this is something I need to read over and over again. People have told me a few times that it's okay to enjoy the journey. Lisa...you're the best. Wishing you and your family a very happy new year with His best throughout it.

1 reply · active 710 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 710 weeks ago

I can imagine that those who had such traumatic experiences in their childhood may have more difficulty lightening up in adulthood. But yes, the journey it meant to bring us joy along the way. I know you bring a special joy to others by showing them where you are now, and what is possible with God.
My recent post Why your man might hate church

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Esther Joy · 710 weeks ago

Those were all good points, but I guess this stuck out to me the most: "Don’t fill up on junk pleasures with little value or godliness. Cultivate a strong appetite to enjoy what God designed you to enjoy. " ...especially relating it to food intake after filling up on too many Christmas goodies!

1 reply · active 710 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 710 weeks ago

How did you know I have been eating too much junk? :-) Since Thanksgiving, actually. Sigh. If we can only hold so much "stuff" at a time, we really should make it the best. With food, I need to get past what tastes good for a few seconds in my mouth. The pleasure is so short-lived. With other "pleasures," I want to do the same--pick good ones so I can enjoy in the moment, but ones that won't have bad consequences later.
My recent post Why your man might hate church

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floyd · 710 weeks ago

Great advice to take us into a new year... Delighting in Him. Thanks
My recent post THE ROAD OF LIFE IN 2012

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tinuviel · 710 weeks ago

Good thoughts. What I've learned in this "delight" year is that I still don't know much of it and have *so* far to grow in delighting in the right things. Thanks for this. Grace and peace to you in Jesus in the new year.
My recent post Daybreak

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Karen · 710 weeks ago

I liked this post! I need to make an effort to enjoy all that God has given. My son used to watch a Christian kids song video that said "Don't let the devil steal your joy from you cause that's what he comes 'round to do"
My recent post HIS-appointments

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Sandy 18p · 710 weeks ago

Oh I really need to visit here more....I am always blessed by your words Lisa!! Yes, God has given us a deep Joy that we can delight in!!

Happy New Year!!

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Joan · 710 weeks ago

Great thoughts, Lisa. I think that we can often feel guilty over having pleasure, but you are right, God created it. Delighting in Him first and foremost and then enjoy the blessings He has bestowed upon us.

Happy New Year to you and your family!

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pamela · 710 weeks ago

"I honor the giver when I enjoy the gift." I've never thought of it that way, but I love it. Those of us raised with legalistic rules and expectations can feel like pleasure is wrong. I'm going to spend this year enjoying gifts from the giver.

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Charlotte 44p · 710 weeks ago

I like this post. Too many times Christians think they shouldn't have any pleasure in their lives. I agree with you. I like to think that God takes pleasure in my enjoying the gifts He has given me.
Enjoy this new year.
Blessings,
Charlotte