Joyful: Full of joy: very glad; exultingWe have probably all known someone that when we think of them, we also think of joyfulness. They are the ones who always seem to have a light in their eye, their face seems to have a smile ready to break forth at any moment, they seem to have a zest for life. Not only does this person’s joy bless those who are around it, it is also contagious.
Joyfulness is an attribute that God desires His children to be displaying in their lives. Continually. “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). So often, though, our human nature resists this joyfulness. For us ladies, we have our emotions to deal with, mood swings, and the like. If we rely on our own strength to remain joyful, we will fail. But “. . . the joy of the LORD is [our] strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10). When we are resting and trusting in the Lord, and only then, His true joy will be manifested in us. This joy is not dependent on circumstances, because it is rooted in the Rock. It is steady and immovable.
Joy comes in knowing our Lord. Knowing that “the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves”. Knowing that we are “His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Knowing that He “is good; and His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.” Because of this we can “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” [Psalm 100]. What joy is found in His presence!
Joy also comes through abiding, loving, and being obedient to our Lord. “‘My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.'” (John 15:8-11).
This joy in our hearts, which comes from Christ, is then expressed in our day to day life, in our actions, our words, our smile. “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.” (Proverbs 15:13). A cheerful face or a broken spirit? Which would we rather have? Definitely the former!
My prayer is that as difficulties arise, as we struggle with our emotions, when trials come our way, that we can abide in Christ. For as we abide, His joy becomes our own.
-Posted by Sarah
Joyfulness is an attribute that God desires His children to be displaying in their lives. Continually. “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). So often, though, our human nature resists this joyfulness. For us ladies, we have our emotions to deal with, mood swings, and the like. If we rely on our own strength to remain joyful, we will fail. But “. . . the joy of the LORD is [our] strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10). When we are resting and trusting in the Lord, and only then, His true joy will be manifested in us. This joy is not dependent on circumstances, because it is rooted in the Rock. It is steady and immovable.
Joy comes in knowing our Lord. Knowing that “the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves”. Knowing that we are “His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Knowing that He “is good; and His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.” Because of this we can “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” [Psalm 100]. What joy is found in His presence!
Joy also comes through abiding, loving, and being obedient to our Lord. “‘My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.'” (John 15:8-11).
This joy in our hearts, which comes from Christ, is then expressed in our day to day life, in our actions, our words, our smile. “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.” (Proverbs 15:13). A cheerful face or a broken spirit? Which would we rather have? Definitely the former!
My prayer is that as difficulties arise, as we struggle with our emotions, when trials come our way, that we can abide in Christ. For as we abide, His joy becomes our own.
-Posted by Sarah
Great post! It was a joy to read/
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragement, Christina!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on our blog! I've enjoyed browsing through yours.
ReplyDeleteYour posts are very uplifting, and the pictures you pair with them are beautiful. Keep up the good work!
Welcome to our blog, Anna! And thank you for your encouraging words - they were a blessing to us.
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