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Joy, happiness, and bliss are things that all human beings need and seek. The difference lies in what the source of that joy, happiness, and bliss is. The vast majority of people seek these in parties, revelry, drinks, vacations, a better house, a better car, but all these material things are fleeting, they are not enduring, the joy of having a car, a new house, a new cell phone, those dream vacations, they last for a short time, and we return to our harsh reality of everyday life. The permanent joy in our lives will only be found in God, knowing that He has saved me from eternal condemnation, that He has given me life and life abundantly, that He has given me a purpose to live.
1. Your greatest source of joy should be the greatest miracle: Your salvation
The Greek word for joy is chara and is defined as “joy, quiet delight, joy, to be extremely joyful” and the Greek word for grace is charis, which means undeserved favor. Do you see a very close relationship between charis and chara? This is because joy is an absolute assumption in grace. Joy is literally written in grace!
This is an important point that we must remember as mature believers because sometimes we take our salvation for granted. We get used to the idea that we are saved and that we have a right relationship with Christ. We need to be reminded of the miracle of our salvation. This is also illustrated in the parable of the hidden treasure in a field found in Matthew 13:44. Joy is not something we manufacture on our own. It flows from a heart centered on Christ. Joy is a continuous mental and heart state for the disciple of Christ. It is present when life is peaceful and free of pain, and it is present when life revolves around us, chaotic and turbulent.
Scripture argues that joy is more than a feeling we experience when things go well: “2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2–3 NIV) “2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)
2. Look to Jesus as your source of joy in all things
The fruit of the Spirit is an image of Christ himself. How wonderful when we have practiced patience or kindness well or are faithful in what God has called us to do, but it is difficult to express all the fruits while we are still working on our salvation. However, we can look to Jesus as our source of joy in all things. We can practice finding joy in small things, mundane things, places where joy may be difficult to locate. If God is there, then no matter how difficult things are, joy can also be found there. Seeking joy is a spiritual discipline, and when we exercise that muscle, it will grow.
As I have explained throughout this series, the fruit of the Spirit is not emotions or feelings, but rather conditions of the heart, of the soul, and we can always find joy in Jesus, in following his footsteps, that He be the center of our existence, that everything we do on this earth is permeated by his presence. The Apostle Paul could experience that joy despite writing from prison; he was imprisoned for the sake of Christ and that changed everything in his life because it was for the sake of the one who had saved and called him to serve that he was going through prisons. In the same way, we can experience that joy in times of tribulation, in the problems of everyday life. You can say, “If God is for me, who can be against me?” Hallelujah.
3. You can experience that joy in any circumstance
Joy is sustainable in a way that happiness cannot be. We must acquire the habit of finding joy in what we do, for example: even when you return home after a hard day, maybe things didn’t go well, you feel tired, without enthusiasm, you can recharge batteries along the way so that when you get home, God through his Holy Spirit ministered to you on the way, and you were able to unload all those emotions, and allow Him to renew you, to lift your spirits, to minister joy to you, because His joy, as Nehemiah 8:10 says: “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Do not allow the enemy or circumstances to steal your joy, remember that joy is based on Christ, on what He has already done for you on the cross of Calvary, you are His son, His daughter, and you have your Heavenly Father who is taking care of your life, so when you get home, do not unload all those negative emotions on your spouse or your children, but you have allowed the Holy Spirit to change exhaustion, weariness, and renew you for His glory. Joy in a difficult situation can be illustrated by the emotion felt after a woman gives birth. She has suffered and worked very hard to give birth to the baby, but immediately feels joy when she sees her child’s face. Joy can be indescribable in those intense and beautiful moments.
Sincerely, Pastor Guillermo Ayala
Bible Verses
Matthew 13:44
James 1:2–3
Hebrews 12:2″
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