Finding Joy

Who knew we needed to look for joy? Did joy get lost? Ask yourself these questions; What motivates you? What forces you from point A to point B? What gets you out of the bed each day? What puts a smile on your face? If you answered these questions then, you have found some of what brings joy into your life. Joy, if you have found it, helps make your life worth living. In order to find joy, you must understand what it is and how to recognize it. If you read yesterday’s devotion, then you have the definition.

Now, ask yourself where does joy actually originate? As we sometimes trudge through our daily lives, we can often get caught up in ourselves and our own circumstances, only focusing on the moment we are in. If you answered the questions, did you actually create the joy you have? Not really. We are not able to actually “create” joy. It is a gift that is given to each of us by God and we must be able to recognize it in order to receive it. To fully understand it, you must be able to give it as well. We’ll hit on giving joy soon. You can’t give what you don’t know you have. How’s that for a thinking statement?

Romans 15:13 tells us that joy is a gift, “May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.” So, there's something we have to do first. We have to first, trust God and then, He fills us with His joy. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Well ok. Now we also know that joy is a fruit of the spirit.

In my research I found this statement from Open the Bible.org. “In the English Standard Version of the Bible, the words “joy,” “rejoice,” or “joyful” appear 430 times, compared with “happy” or “happiness,” which appear only ten times. Joy is lasting, and it satisfies the heart in a unique and marvelous way. Joy is a characteristic of God's people, found in his presence.” Joy and happiness are not exactly the same though the words are often used interchangeably.

Luke 2:10 says, “And the Angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy, that will be for all the people.” Joy for all the people… that means joy for you and me! May you find joy in the most unexpected ways and in the little things today. There is a God wink here. The rest of the story coming soon. Now enjoy this poem by Kathy Crouch. Once again, she nailed it!

Joy

When the Holy Spirit abides within,

There’s unexplainable joy full of glory.

It lives in our hearts, such a feeling divine,

Now here is the rest of the story.

There’s one God, one Son, one Spirit,

Though eyes have not seen, but believe.

When we bid all three to come live in our hearts,

This gift we call joy we’ll receive.

This precious gift is not bought in stores,

Nor produced by human hands.

Only God holds the key to this treasure,

It’s only He who understands,

That….

Trials and suffering may come our way,

Hard times are ultimately designed;

For He has a very specific plan,

And a purpose for us in mind.

This is when patience wins its crown,

As faith is now put to the test.

The highest joy possible is to trust our Lord,

And He will take care of the rest.

This joy filled with glory is hard to explain,

But it’s free if we simply believe.

Life everlasting and joy to see God,

Is the gift we will surely receive.

Kathy M. Crouch

I found a little piece of joy when I got to climb onto a flower truck. A rainbow on wheels!