Experiencing Joy (ESV)

With all of the problems that constantly bombard us, joy may seem to skip over us more often than not. We may find ourselves too busy trying to thrive under the pressures of life to remember to do something as simple as smile. While difficulty is a part of life, joy is a promise. Joy isn’t just a heavenly promise. It can be experienced right now. What is joy? Joy is something experienced after or during a time of hardship. Joy is gladness intertwined with thanksgiving. When you have accomplished something after much hard work, the excitement and relief that fills you is joy. It follows darkness and difficulty. You don’t know true joy unless you have had an experience that must move over for joy to have its way. It is when your entire body, mind, and spirit are ready to celebrate. How can I have joy? The first step toward joy begins when we come out from beneath the load we carry. Many things that we make ourselves responsible for can be left alone. We get concerned with our reputation and not our character. We get concerned with being wealthy and less about what is healthy. If we let go of these concerns we have room for joy. What about our problems? Our problems and issues can easily be solved, not by us, but God can handle them. We shouldn’t hold in our concerns or try to fix everything alone. Usually that just creates more problems. We can unburden ourselves through prayer by talking to Jesus. Where does joy come from? True joy can only be found in God. True joy acknowledges being personally vulnerable, yet invincible through God. The harder a situation gets the more you can rejoice because God fights your battles and you will be victorious. Dear God Thank you for being my Savior. Help me to learn how to let go and let you handle my concerns. Amen WHAT IF TRUE JOY CAME FROM GOD? God wants you to have joy: Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24 There is only one place that true joy is available: You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 The joy that comes from God , comes from confidence in Him. Once you have that, NO ONE can take your joy away: So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. John 16:22 BE BLESSED!!