You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11, ESV)
There are so many wonderful things about the game of golf to enjoy: hitting a perfect tee shot on the first hole and making a long-distance putt. Beating your lowest score ever and building lasting friendships that offer encouragement and camaraderie for years.
Many things can ruin a sunny day on the course as well. A misbehaving putter. A simple chip that goes 30 yards when it was only supposed to go 10 feet. Slow play! Ugh. All of these situations can challenge what was once a great day on the course.
But, of all the things that can ruin a day, the worst is playing with an angry golfer. Isn’t it incredibly uncomfortable when your playing partner loses their temper? A bad shot is followed by a tirade of language that would make even the saltiest of sailors blush.
If they mishit a club, they toss it as if it were a venomous snake attacking them. Every shot. All day long. Complaining and angry. This isn’t fun!
Noted author and psychiatrist Marc Brackett states that anger is often the result of “perceived injustice.” The angry golfer is upset because what happened shouldn’t have happened.
The ball shouldn’t have kicked left! That putt shouldn’t have gone past the hole that far. The “injustices” keep happening, and the angry golfer can’t contain their frustration.
Wouldn’t we prefer playing with a joyful person who’s going to shoot a million, rather than with an angry golfer playing to par? We would choose joy over anger every time.
One of the key marks of the Christian faith is joy (see Galatians 5:22). The Bible consistently associates the promise of joy with the Lord and His goodness.
In Psalm 16, David expresses his trust in the Lord and the contentment he finds in Him. In verses 9-11, he highlights his confidence in God by looking forward, knowing that He revealed the way to eternal life—to be in His presence forever—and recognizing that there is everlasting joy in God’s presence.
Yes, there is everlasting joy awaiting the redeemed after we pass, but even in this life, on this side of eternity, there is joy.
Buck Parsons stated, “Real joy comes from God, who has invaded us, conquered us, and liberated us from eternal death and sadness (and anger).”
In other words, real joy cannot be known outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Joy isn’t the absence of sadness or anger. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer that gives us hope, joy, and assurance in our living.
Prayer: Father, because of Jesus, may my life be filled with joy and free of anger and bitterness. Amen!