However you say it, or however you think it, joy is what it is-joy.
What do I mean by that? Joy is something that is deep down in our hearts. Joy is something that is nurtured in us by Jesus. Joy isn't necessarily something we say, or do. Or isn't someway that we act.
Joy is in our hearts. That deep down joy that changes our hearts, changes our thinking, gives us hope, that joy is deep down in our hearts.
The fruit of that joy comes in many different ways. The way we act can depict the joy within us. The words we speak will clearly tell of our joy. The way we pray, the way we think, or the expressions on our faces will show others the joy we have within us.
When that joy is absent from us we tend to walk around with long faces. We do not speak words that are edifying to others or even ourselves. We may even drag others down emotionally, therefore they will not enjoy spending time with us.
How do we get this joy I speak of? The best way I know how is through our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. That is where we get true joy. True and everlasting joy. There is nothing in this world that can compare with the joy of the Lord. There is no other way to have this joy deep down in our hearts.
The best part of this is Jesus wants us to have this joy. He wants to give it to us so our hearts are full of His joy. Jesus doesn't want us walking around with a gloomy face on. He doesn't want us sulking in our own self pity. He doesn't want us to feel so sad that we cannot see the blessings that surround us.
When we read the word of God, it fills our hearts with joy. The word energizes us and fills us with happiness, hope, visions, direction, faith, and joy. When we pray to the Lord with hope, He fills us with joy. When we worship the Lord with our all, He fills us with joy. But not only that, it pleases the Lord and gives Him joy. Yes, He has joy over us. How awesome is that! Think about it, Jesus Christ has joy over us. Each and every single one of us is that important to Him.
There are countless scriptures that speak of the joy of the Lord. Joy gives us strength. Even the trees will shout for joy.
Nehemiah 8:10 ASV- Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
1Chronicles 16:33 Then the trees of the forest will shout for joy before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth.
Psalm 47:5 God ascends among shouts of joy, the Lord, among the sound of trumpets.
Psalm 92:4 For You have made me rejoice, Lord, by what You have done; I will shout for joy because of the works of Your hands.
These are just a few examples. There are tons of verses in God's Word telling us of joy. No matter what your circumstance is, we can have joy because of our Lord Jesus.
I am not saying we will never be sad, or never crying out for help, or never needing encouragement. The truth is we are still flesh, and our flesh is weak. That weakness makes us vulnerable. So at times we will need extra strength and encouragement from the body of Christ. We will need that little extra lift to get ourselves up and moving forward. But even in those times we can find joy. The very fact that we are breathing, able to read His Word, able to pray, and the list goes on, these things are reasons why we can have joy, why we should have joy.
Even during our trials, during our disappointments, during our sickness, we can have the joy of the Lord. That joy will bring us strength when we most need it.
To my faithful readers all across this globe, I pray you can reach deep down within your heart and grasp ahold of that great joy the Lord has for you. No matter what you are facing, or what is dragging you down low, the joy of the Lord is much larger and much stronger than any of that. And it is yours.
I pray you are encouraged as you read these words, but more importantly, as you read God's Word.
The joy of the Lord is my strength, and your strength.
