This is how I might define joy....
The true definition of joy goes beyond the limited explanation presented in a dictionary — “a feeling, a great pleasure, and happiness.”
True joy is a limitless, life-defining, transformative reservoir waiting to be tapped into.
With the state of the world the way it is, it can be very hard for our lives to operate with any amount of joy. If you want to rob yourself of joy just tune in to the world news or compare yourself to someone else. These two things can steal your joy faster than anything.
Several years ago when I was in Africa, I got to attend a Tribal Counsel that consisted of the regional CHIEF and the tribal leaders from each village in the area. I noticed that each time before anyone spoke one of two men would get up and announce them. They would repeat the same thing each time. When we were finished I asked the translator what they were saying. He said they were saying “Good news, Good news bring the Good news. “
At the time I asked him what if they were bringing bad news. He said, "You have to figure out how to make it seem like it wasn’t bad news but good news."
In our lives so much negative comes against us that good news is hard to find, but if we can turn it into some sort of good news it would be much easier to find joy in our everyday lives. If we focus on the problems and not the solutions our Joy will always be illusive.
The Gospel “GOOD NEWS” of JESUS CHRIST has the power to overcome every negative thought or circumstance.
I remember the day I realized that I believed what I said. We all know that just because we say something, that doesn’t necessarily mean we believe it. My circumstances were in a place of doom and gloom. There didn’t seem to be any hope, much less JOY. This is when my trust in JESUS CHRIST was more than words. My JOY was made complete even in a time of despair. This was a feeling I had never had before. Before I would focus on the problem and not the answer, but now my focus is the JOY.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:9-11
Two scriptures have always been hard for me to comprehend. The first is “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” James 1:2. The second is “fixing 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.
How could this be a JOY set before HIM. These make no sense in the natural but when you approach them with a complete trust in your Heavenly Father and the fact that He knows best and loves you, you can turn any circumstance into JOY, which can glorify his name. The lyrics from and old hymn can become the reality of your life “ fix your eyes on JESUS and the things of the world will become strangely dim.
We know that in this world we are going to face all kinds of trials but when the JOY of the LORD is your strength you can be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. “Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.””
Nehemiah 8:10 “
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33
MAY YOUR JOY BE MADE COMPLETE
Blessings,
Quinn
Tribal Council in Ghana (Africa) 2018
Be Alright by Evan Craft, Danny Gokey, and Redimi2