In the
midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme
poverty welled up in rich generosity.
“Joy is like the hidden note in the glass. Joy is tuning in to what God is doing around you, seeing the world through his eyes, picking up
on his delight in us as his children. Anyone can find happiness for a while… Happiness depends on what is happening to you. Joy is different; joy goes deeper. Joy is when your whole being sings because you have caught a glimpse of God at work. Joy can creep up on you and surprise you in unexpected places.” (Tasting the Fruit of the Spirit).We
have all had times when we feel unhappy. Things happen, bad news is a source of
unhappiness, illness can be an unhappy time, bereavement is a very unhappy
time. However, as much as these things cause unhappiness but sometimes in the
midst of this we may find ourselves lifted out of the cloud of unhappiness and
perhaps even humming or singing an uplifting song.
Joy
has nothing to do with happiness, joy comes from knowing that God is in
control. He doesn’t give us trials without being there with us, sharing our
grief or worries. We can trust Him to uphold us in every hardship we
experience. Even knowing we are sinners we can still trust Him because He sent
His son Jesus to take our sins onto Himself. This ensures that God doesn’t look
at our sin He only sees Jesus in us.
Joy
comes from knowing that we are safe in the love of our heavenly Father and
seeing the beauty of all He has made. Nature is wonderful and God is
responsible for the beauty we see around us if we look closely at it.
As Psalm 139:14 says
I praise
you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are
wonderful, I know that full well.
This in itself should implant joy into
our being. How can we not feel joy knowing that God wanted us enough to make us
specifically as we are, flaws and all, giving us the choice to follow Him and
be improved by submitting to His will. We will not be asked to do anything
that, with God’s help, we cannot do. The important words being ‘with God’s
help’.
Joy comes from the presence of the Holy
Spirit in us, guiding us on the right path if we allow Him. Father, Son and
Holy Spirit, all are necessary for our spiritual wellbeing and the feeling of
joy in our hearts.
Prayer
Father, You
are the source of all joy. Joy is the gift of knowing You and keeping You in
our sight at all times. Please help us to surrender our will to Yours so that
we may be Your children in every way. We come to You in Jesus name, Amen
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