Everyone wants to experience the spine-tingling and euphoric RAIN OF JOY in their life. Sounds easy, right? So what’s the problem? Why does the world seem, largely, joyless and incapable of finding its elusive destination? And why in the world do so many Christians struggle mightily to understand the meaning of joy and search unsuccessfully for the pathway to its well of wonder?
I vividly remember the day my tears poured like a storm. I was in a season of pain so profound that joy felt like an impossible dream. Little did I know that storm of sorrow was watering the seeds of joy God had planted in my heart. What I’ve learned is this: Living with joy is not only possible—it’s one of GOD’S PROMISES. With some discipline and prayer, it’s a state we can all pursue with steadfast intent.
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:9-11
Unwrapping GOD’S JOY PROMISE starts with its Biblical basis and spiritual springboard: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4.
I love this verse because it has the Apostle Paul REPEATING HIMSELF with his instruction to REJOICE in the Lord. Why the double-barrel shot? Because he KNEW about its difficulty. And his message packs extra punch since it emanated from a desolate and dusty prison cell in Philippi.
If you are ready today to activate or energize GOD’S JOY PROMISE in your faith walk, let’s start by crushing these two JOY MYTHS:
JOY JUICE
We can easily fall into the trap of only experiencing what we think is joy when we inject our life with some exotic recipe of “joy juice.” Unlike feelings of happiness that come in and out of our life, fruit-of-the-spirit joy has nothing to do with things going “good or bad.” It is a joy that comes as a gift from the Holy Spirit. It transcends any and all circumstances. It is not found in joy juice.
JOY SWITCH
Joy in God is not a switch we flip to the on position at our salvation. Joy in Christ is a lifelong pursuit and discipline. We love to look at joy through the lens of success and pleasure and comfort. But if God’s joy only shows up on our “best days,” we are not feasting on authentic, God-delivered JOY.
FOR ME…
Every morning, I ask God to help me develop the joy that only comes from HIM. I pray for his protection and guidance, asking HIM to remind me that HIS joy is a gift—not an emotion I can produce on my own. I ask HIS for the strength to hold tightly onto the joy that comes from having an intimate relationship with the God of Heaven and Earth.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you experiencing the kind of joy Jesus gives naturally and consistently, or do you require an injection of “joy juice” that delivers good news to make your day?
Your tears may feel like a flood now, but trust that God is using them to bring forth a harvest of joy.
