Do you struggle with joy?
Scripture counsels us to always be joyful. The thought appears over and over through the Bible, and not just as something to consider, but as a command. Be joyful!
Many of us may doubt the possibility of continual joy. When I experience pain, frustration or discouragement, joy is not necessarily my first response. Life is hard, and often our circumstances leave us feeling anything but joy. God points the way to joy through Scriptural clues. Rejoice in the Lord (Psalm 32:11). We can rejoice in our confident hope (Romans 12:12 NLT).
Jesus warned we can expect trouble in this world. But He has overcome the world. Our joy doesn’t depend on what circumstances we encounter. The prophet Habakkuk makes that clear when he says, Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19 NLT.
Our joy rises out of our relationship with God Himself. He has promised to give peace and strength to His people in the midst of whatever storms we encounter in life. We have the confident hope in Him that though we live now in a broken world, He will one day restore everything that sin has destroyed. There is much to rejoice about.
A thread runs through Scripture that reveals another clue about the joy the Lord wants us to experience. The more we know God, the more we see His character, and the easier it is to trust Him. Romans 10:17 tells us, So faith comes from hearing, that is hearing the Good news about Christ (NLT). The whole of Scripture points to the Good News of Christ. The more we dig into God’s Word, the more He reveals to us about Himself, His character and His eternal plan. With our understanding of Who He is, our faith grows.
Further, Romans 1:5 refers to the obedience that comes from faith (NLT). As our faith grows, so does the desire to live in ways that please Him, by obeying what He has revealed to us about how He wants us to live.
When Jesus spoke to His disciples the night before His crucifixion, He told them, When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow. (John 15:10-11 NLT).
Do you see it? Study Scripture to know God. Knowing God increases our faith. As our faith grows, obedience follows–all leading to joy. Once we see that pattern, joy doesn’t seem so illusive.
We do live in a broken world. Joy stealers abound. But nothing has the power to steal the joy we have in Christ. Seek Him and find joy.
The joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 NIV
Blessings,
Phyllis
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Copyright 2023 Phyllis L. Farringer