Is joy a feeling? Or is joy a gift from God we have access to in the most difficult of circumstances?

There are many scriptures in the Bible that refers to joy. When the Israelites came out of Egypt, they celebrated with joy. When Nehemiah led them to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and they have gathered to hear Ezra read out of the book of the law and worship God, Nehemiah said that they should celebrate. That they shouldn’t be dejected and sad, because the joy of the Lord is their strength. (See Nehemiah 8)

So what is joy really?

March has started on a rocky road for me. It is a month in which we celebrate two birthdays as a family as well as our wedding anniversary. It should be a month of celebration, and yet I’ve felt dispirited and sad. I kept on feeling as if I was doing everything wrong and that I accomplished nothing good. I felt discontent and without joy. I tried to puzzle everything out. Was I not in God’s will? Was I praying and declaring the wrong words? It ended with an emotional rollercoaster ride that left me exhausted. My past overshadowed my present. My focus was self-centered and not on Jesus.

Then the Holy Spirit said to me one morning at 2 am, that I am not stepping towards God’s grace. That His will is not for me to be dejected and condemned, that He has set me free, but I am remaining in bondage because it is familiar. Instead of being convicted to repentance and seeking God’s will, I let the enemy tell me that I am worthless and there was no hope for me. This was truly a dark place to be in.

Yet, God’s love for us shone like a beacon in a turbulent see!

How wonderful that Jesus never leaves us or forsakes us! How blessed are we that the Holy Spirit guides us! This wake-up call led me to repentance and my joy has been restored. You see friend, joy is a gift from God. Yes I did some things wrong, but God’s grace is bigger.

Isaiah 61:2-3, “…to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;…”

Paul prayed in Romans 15:13, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” KJV. God fills us with joy. It is not out of ourselves. Joy is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), when we follow the Spirit’s guidance, we will have joy. In Philippians 4:4, it is written that we should be full of joy in the Lord. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus and trust in Him at all times. We must abide in Him.

Jesus came so we can have life in abundance; that includes being filled with joy. Let’s do as the psalmist says in Psalms 47:1, “O clap your hands, all ye people; Shout unto God with the voice of triumph.” (KJV). Let us praise God continually for all He has done. Let’s focus on Jesus who died for our sins, but has risen in triumph because He has defeated death. Be humble and know that your joy comes from the Lord and isn’t dependant on your circumstances. Let us clothe ourselves in love, so we will live in harmony with others (Colossians 3:14).

May the joy and peace of God fill your hearts. You are not alone. The battle is already won. You are victorious through Christ. You are loved.

Catherina