Joy

I've been reflecting on joy recently, and I've come to see it as more than just a passing emotion. It's a profound and integral part of our lives that we can cultivate and experience daily, regardless of what we're going through. I want to share some insights that have helped me on this journey, drawing from the wisdom of the scriptures.

I've realised that Jesus wants us to have joy that isn't just theoretical; he wants it to be an abundant, overflowing experience. It's about being so full of God’s spirit that joy naturally pours out of us. It's not about pretending to be happy; it's about being happy, from the inside out. The Bible reminds us, as stated in John 15:11, Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing.” This is about more than just knowing we should be joyful; it's about actually being joyful.

I now see that being filled with the Holy Spirit is crucial for experiencing real joy. If we ask the Holy Spirit to fill us every day, we'll find joy in our hearts and smiles on our faces much more easily. When we're filled with God's spirit, we will naturally be joyful, as joy is one of the fruits of the spirit.

I've discovered that I can actively create more joy in my life. I can do this by praying in the spirit, which lightens the heart, and by filling my home with praise and worship. Engaging the whole body in worship helps the heart to be filled with joy. Psalm 122:1 “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”.

I have learned that joy is not about our circumstances but about a supernatural encounter with God. It is a decision to choose joy. It is God himself who will turn our sorrow into joy. It's not about changing our circumstances, or our personalities but choosing to focus on God's desire to transform our sadness, depression, and hurt into beauty, joy and praise. Isaiah 61:3: “and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

I can choose to release negativity, depression, cynicism, anger, bitterness, fear, gossip, slander, and critical opinions, as these things rob us of our joy. I have to take responsibility for changing negative environments by releasing joy. It seems that a ‘religious spirit’ can be a “joy-sucker.’ Proverbs 15:13 tells us “A heart full of joy and goodness makes a cheerful face, but when a heart is full of sadness, the spirit is crushed”.

I now want to be a catalyst for joy, starting with my own environment. When I am filled with God's spirit and release joy, God will use me to make a difference. This could be by smiling, baking, or offering a kind word. Even giving someone a tickle and a smile can be a good start. We need to encourage each other to create joy. Proverbs 12:25 reminds us, “Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but a good (encouraging) word makes it glad”. We are also reminded that “A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing but a broken spirit dries up the bones” as written in Proverbs 17:22.