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Today, we're talking about something that can truly transform your life—Joy! Not just any joy, but the deep, lasting joy that comes from the Lord.
Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
You know, sometimes we confuse joy with happiness. But happiness is often based on our circumstances—it’s temporary. True joy, though, is much deeper. It’s rooted in our relationship with God. The Bible tells us in Nehemiah 8:10, “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” How powerful is that? The joy of the Lord is what strengthens us, even in tough times.
The enemy has done his best to convince us that joy is completely out of our control and only dependent on your circumstances, but I know I have come to learn that when you’re rooted in God’s joy, you can face any challenge with a smile on your face and peace in your heart. So today, no matter what you're going through, remember that your joy comes from the Lord. And that joy gives you the strength to keep going, to keep smiling, and to keep praising Him!
Now, let’s get real for a moment. Life isn’t always easy, right? We all go through trials and tough times. But here’s the incredible thing—God doesn’t leave us in those tough times without hope. In fact, He offers us joy right in the middle of our struggles.
James 1:2-3 says, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” Isn’t that amazing? It’s saying that we can actually find joy in our trials because they help us grow stronger in our faith.
Maybe today you’re facing something really difficult—a health issue, financial stress, or maybe a broken relationship. Whatever it is, God is using it to build something beautiful in you. It’s not easy but remember that every trial is an opportunity for your joy to deepen as you lean more on God. So, let’s not let our emotional or physical state dictate how we are going to go about our day to day but let’s allow the joy of the Lord to fill and motive us.
We’ve talked about finding joy in God and even in our trials. Now, I want to talk about another powerful way to experience joy—through giving.
There’s something incredible that happens when we shift our focus from ourselves to others. Acts 20:35 reminds us of the words of Jesus: “You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Isn’t that true? When we give—whether it’s our time, our resources, or simply a word of encouragement—we tap into a deep well of joy.
Remember that joy comes anew every morning, and we can choose to have that joy so as you choose to be joyful maybe today you can think of a way to bring joy to someone else. It doesn’t have to be big—maybe it’s a kind word, a helping hand, or even just a smile. As you do, you’ll find that the joy you give away comes right back to you, multiplied. That’s how God’s joy works—it’s contagious!