The strength of Joy

Do you have one of those moments you are happy, feeling good and all of that and all of a sudden, a picture of an existing challenge you are facing flashes before you? And suddenly, the joy is gone and you feel deflated.

The devil knows that joy is the strength of a believer and only with strength you can face the days of adversity. So he presents pictures of the challenge you are facing, your inadequacies and insecurities. He knows once you exchange your joy, he can penetrate.

Trouble ends the day we die. So as long as we are are here, we must deal with adversity. We do not maintain joy because our life is perfect. We do so because Jesus has given us peace.

Jesus says the peace he gives is not as the world gives. The world attaches happiness to when things are bright and sunny; when we have our way and everything is going the way we want. But this is not the peace Jesus gives. The peace of Jesus flows from the Holy Spirit within us. It flows despite any chaos that may be happening around us.

“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Until God becomes the source of your joy, you will never know what true happiness is. With God as your source, you will take on life challenges with joy even though people might not see what you should be happy about. The joy that comes from God brings peace.

Being in constant communion with the Holy Spirit through prayer, worship and word study will ensure we remain connected to our source.

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16:11‬ ‭AMP‬‬

We maintain joy because we are confident in God’s ability and willingness to deliver us from whatever challenge we may face.

We know even as we walk through fire, He walks with us.

We remember the times God has come through for us. And know life happens in seasons and our season of rejoicing most surely come.

“A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17:22‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Though the fig tree does not blossom And there is no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive fails

And the fields produce no food, Though the flock is cut off from the fold And there are no cattle in the stalls,

Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army];

He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.”
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3:17-19‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Choose to live in the present. And fill your moments with His presence through thankfulness. With Joy, we draw from the well of salvation. With joy, our Spirit is clearer to receive instructions that can lift us out of our current predicament. Don’t lose your joy.

Shalom💜