“The fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5
What is the one thing that brings you the greatest JOY? Deep JOY. The type of JOY that fills your heart, makes you smile from the inside out and you can’t get enough of.
Now, what makes you happy? A new pair of cute shoes? A win for your football team? A yummy dessert?
Do you see the difference between JOY vs. happiness?
Definition of JOY – The emotion of great delight, caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying. Elation.
Definition of happiness – Pleasure, contentment
One is rich and full and the other is very nice.
Here is what the Bible says about JOY. Talk about rich and full!
- “Come, let us sing for JOY to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” Psalm 95:1
- “Light is shed upon the righteous and JOY on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name.” Psalm 97:11,12
- “…the JOY of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
- “Be JOYful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
So, how can we have JOY in the midst of financial troubles, marriage issues, divorce, the death of a loved one or any other crisis?
Glad you asked! Because when we are walking close to Jesus, filling our minds with Him and His Truth, we can have HIS JOY from the inside out. We understand who He says we are, we can trust in Him and let Him soothe our soul.
Like the old saying goes, “Garbage in; garbage out”.
Try this! God’s Truth in; God’s Truth out. God’s JOY in; God’s JOY out. God’s love in; God’s love out. Got it?
“Weeping may remain through the night, but JOY comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5