God gives joy even in the midst of chaos and confusion; God gives calmness. Joy is always available to us when we remain in Christ, in spite of what life may throw at us. Who are you leaning on for your joy? Who is your source of joy?
There are many things that can cause us to lose our joy. Whether it’s a divorce, a bad doctor’s report, a false accusation, or financial issues—problems of our own making—you name it. It doesn’t really matter how we find ourselves there. What matters is that God is able to restore our joy. It can crush us to the point where we don’t see the sense of being joyful, even about the simplest blessings in our lives. I know I have been there, where I was crushed to the point where I don’t even see the point of smiling. Until one day I was really meditating on the verse Nehemiah 8:10, The joy of the Lord is my strength, and then I got the revelation that true joy doesn’t come from my own strength but from the strength of the Lord.
Joy is an inside feeling that is not predicated on things or people. Joy is naturally generated. Joy is possible when going through your testing and trials if you don’t allow the situation to get inside of you and cause bitterness. It is not what is on the outside of the boat that causes the boat to sink, but what is on the inside. You are not going to wake up every day feeling joyful, but you can choose to be joyful. It is a choice!
My situation has given me many reasons to walk around in self-pity, sadness, and bitterness, but I choose to think of the goodness and mercy of God. I choose to be better and not bitter. I have a lot to be thankful for, despite my situation. I have many things that other people wish they had and/or are probably going through worse than what I am going through. When you have the joy of the Lord, no external circumstances can cause you to lose hope. Joy is a gift from God and also a daily choice we make. God is the source of our joy, and He will give you the strength to carry on despite your trails.
I am joyful when I see my daughter growing up before my eyes. She brings me a lot of joy. My husband, family, friends, praying, reading my Bible, encouraging others, going to church, and my church community are all sources of joy. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Despite what you are going through, choose to find the things in life that bring you joy and focus on them.
My encouragement to you is to choose joy. It is a choice; don’t stay focused on the trials. Instead, choose joy in knowing that God is doing something greater ahead. Remember, joy is a free gift and is possible in our storm with the strength of God.
Be encouraged.
God bless you.
Sherine Leslie-Gooden
Your encourager.
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