Five Reasons for Having Joy
The more I read about joy, the more I’m convinced that God’s kids, more than anyone else on earth, ought to be living demonstrations of this characteristic.
Anyone can be joyful when life’s honky-dory, but it’s not so easy when the basement floods, the kids break out in chicken pox, the car breaks down, and income runs out before the month ends.
I let a vehicle steal my joy
Our family shares a joke about a van we owned years ago. It was a lemon. Extra sour. The head gasket blew between Christmas and January 1st two years in a row. It burned through three engines during its tenure as a member of our family. And once, on a trip through the Rockies in December, we discovered that the heater didn’t work.
Picture this: Gene driving with our four-year-old son sitting beside him, wrapped in a blanket. Our two wee daughters sitting in the middle seat bundled with sleeping bags. And me—shivering in the back seat while scraping ice off the windows.
I’m sorry to say I allowed that van to dictate my attitude ‘way too many times. Like I said, joy comes easy when life’s easy. But it’s not so quick to show up when life presents challenges.
I read Psalm 5:11-12 recently: “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O Lord: you surround them with your shield of love.”
Several important truths about joy come to mind as I ponder these words:
Joy ought to be a hallmark of those who follow God.
How about you?
How are you doing in that department?
Do you have a favorite Scripture that speaks about joy? If so, what is it?
Know you are loved,
Grace
Order my latest devotional book, Fresh Hope for Today: Devotions for Joy on the Journey with 90 daily meditations that will encourage you to abide in the Vine.
Available wherever Christian books are sold or order your autographed copy here.
Order my latest devotional book, Fresh Hope for Today: Devotions for Joy on the Journey with 90 daily meditations that will encourage you to abide in the Vine.
Available wherever Christian books are sold or order your autographed copy here.
Grace,
There are so many wonderful verses about joy in the Bible, but when things aren’t going so well, the verse that first comes mind, without any hesitation is “The joy of the Lord is my strength”. It has become my mantra (if I can use that word).
Knowing God surrounds us with love is indeed a comfort. One of the little prayers I say each morning echoes that thought :
The light of God surrounds me
The love of God enfolds me.
The power of God protects me.
The Spirit of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is.
It is a good meditation. How can we not be joyful when we think on that?
Blessings,
Darlene
I LOVE your daily mantra (yes, you can use that word). How can we NOT experience joy when we’re walking in the knowledge of this truth? May I have permission to repeat this in a blog for the Christian Authors Network (CAN)?
Grace,
Sure, no problem.
Darlene