Joy

John 15: 9-11

“Remain in my love as I have remained in my father’s love… So that you will be filled with Joy… Joy will overflow!”

When I think of the word Joy, I think of happiness in it’s purest form. Immense happiness. I think of the feeling you get when you’re watching a child grow or when you are full on laughing with friends. When looking up the definition of Joy, Joy is considered great happiness. It comes from selflessness. Joy is a state of being rather than an emotion. It’s felt on a less common level.

Galatians 5:22-23

“The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things.”

This God given fruit is something that cannot be taken away by worldly things. But as the old saying goes, you reap what you sow, this is also true for those who feast on our God-given fruit. You must focus your attention on the Spirit and what it is trying to tell you. When these things get tested, you must take a moment and recognize that you are blessed with the option to to either be patient and kind and good or to be selfish, jealous and cruel. To live in joy and peace you must focus your energy on to them. This world will do what it can to drive you away from the Spirit’s power but you must stay true to yourself and what you want to preserve from this life. Crucify the bad and give your life to Jesus’ cause. WWJD? He would love first so you can have joy second.

Psalm 126: 5-6

“Those who plant in tears with harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return to harvest.”

This verse always gives me the chills. Just like in Psalm 34:18 where we are reminded that God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit; The bible reminds us time and time again that God is with us every step of the way. Through the highs and the lows. Your tears will water the seeds in which your blessings will grow from. Joy will come again because it truly never left you. The light inside you is always there, you just have to ignite it.

Philippians 4: 4-5

“Always be full of Joy in the Lord. I say it again- Rejoice!”

Whenever I think about my personal experience with joy I always think about children and being a mother. Watching my little one grow up to become so driven, so passionate, so full of light and love and excitement for life gives me that immense feeling of happiness and joy that can never be replaced or taken away. I’ve always said my sole purpose in life must have been to be her mother but she is a gift far beyond what I could’ve ever imagined. She, like so many other children, touch the lives of other people without even knowing that’s what they’re doing. They give joy and love so selflessly, it reminds me so much of Jesus and his message to all of us on what it means to have Joy in our hearts and to Rejoice and spread that joy whenever we feel it in anyway that we can. Even if it’s by buying your friend a coffee. Sharing a touching bible verse. A random act of kindness, any way that we can spread God’s love and message for joy is wonderful and should happen more often than not.

What has given you Joy today?

with love,

c.p