Joy is another fruit of the spirit that every one should desire. The differences between Joy and happiness is that happiness is mostly dependent on external circumstances. People are happy when things in their lives are going in the way they desire otherwise. Joy on the other hand can be always present whether the outside happenings are favourable or not. Joy in Greek is "chara" meaning inner gladness. It is internal, it cannot be taken away from us. It stems from an enternal hope that God gives by grace in Christ Jesus.
Unfortunately, not every one is filled with joy, a lot of people allow what is happening around them to dictate their state of mind they don't know that to have joy is a choice, you don't have to wait for a job promotion, to buy a new car or get married before you decide to be joyful. I encourage you to habitually choose joy. It sounds impossible but don't forget that "with man, nothing is possible but with God all things are possible". God sees what we are going through, he hears our deepest needs, he knows you are trying your best. He is not asleep. (Psalms 121:4"Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.")
Every day, choose Joy
Start your day like the psalmist by declaring "This is the day that the Lord has made I would rejoice and be glad in it". "I would", he chose to be happy whether his enemy king Saul, was going to attack him that day, whatever was going to happen he chose Joy because he knew that God made the day and no matter what he was going to overcome
Cheer up
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
Trials and tribulation wound always be present as long as we are in this world but God is encouraging us through His world to cheer up, he is telling us to relax and not allow the problems and cares of our world define us. God is encouraging us to take hope in the fact that he was here before us and understands everything we are going through.
You tribulation is there for a purpose
Romans 5:3
Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.
Romans 5:4
And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.
God sometimes let his children go through certain situations to build them up. To cultivate patience and endurance in them for their Christian race. To strengthen their confidence in an eternal hope. That is why you have to be joyful. Don't let any situation weigh you down rejoice because at the end of it you are coming out bigger and better.
God Joy strengthens.
Trials and tribulation wound always be present as long as we are in this world but God is encouraging us through His world to cheer up, he is telling us to relax and not allow the problems and cares of our world define us. God is encouraging us to take hope in the fact that he was here before us and understands everything we are going through.
You tribulation is there for a purpose
Romans 5:3
Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.
Romans 5:4
And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.
God sometimes let his children go through certain situations to build them up. To cultivate patience and endurance in them for their Christian race. To strengthen their confidence in an eternal hope. That is why you have to be joyful. Don't let any situation weigh you down rejoice because at the end of it you are coming out bigger and better.
God Joy strengthens.
The joy of the Lord is your strength.
In your weakness, God's joy can strengthen you. When you are have laden by the issues of life you can find joy in the presence of God. In your weakness always remind your self that the Joy of the Lord is your strength.
Joy is one of the reasons Jesus Christ died for us
Romans 14:17
"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
You don't just start to experience the kingdom of God when you die and go to heaven but even hear on earth your life is supposed to be a reflection of the kingdom. You can experience joy enternal, and even share it with other people, this is one of the reason Jesus died for you and I that is what the kingdom of God is about.
Some questions to ponder on
Are you a joyful person?
Do you know how to share in the joy of others?
Are you the kind of person that people like to share good news with because you are a joy multipler or are you a joy killer?
Do you get genuinely happy for people when they succed?
"Joy is not a human-based happiness that comes and goes. Rather, true joy is Divine in origin. It is a Spirit-given expression that flourishes best in hard times"
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