Three Important Truths about Joy (Part One)

1.    Joy is Supernatural.

“For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).

The “drill” is getting to me.

The morning is my time to spend with the Lord. It is creative time to not only write blogs like this but to work on a book, ministry project and pray. But these days that precious window with the Lord is being cut short. At some point each morning, I look at the time and think I’ve got to stop and clean. Our house is on the market and in case there is a showing, it’s important to prepare. Instead of being immersed in writing, I’m immersed in mop water.

This has been going on for over five months and I am weary. Feeling trapped in my circumstances, the situation tries to steal my joy. With random showings throughout the week, I cannot get into a rhythm.

Is there a situation robbing your joy?

But what I’ve found is, when I am the lowest, God elevates my joy. Happiness is a human emotion.

Joy is from above.

Often times, after I’ve dusted the final piece of furniture before I race out so potential buyers can stroll in, I am down and feeling sorry for myself. I cry out, “Lord, please restore the joy of my salvation!”

And you know what? He does.

After the daily drill, I may walk into a lunch with a Christian sister with a frown, but within minutes, the fellowship infuses me with the inexpressible joy that the Bible talks about in 1 Peter 1:8. The other day I gathered with like-minded Christians at an event and the minute I saw all of the dear saints at the meeting, I forgot the troubles I chewed on during the car ride over.

Where do you need joy in your life?

If you are a Christian, God promises joy so you should ask him for it. It is a fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22. It is supernatural and inexplicable.

It’s the reason why one minute we can have a tear falling down our face and the next minute we feel peace. Only God can provide that. In Psalm 30:5, King David recognizes sadness is temporary if we are connected to God. “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

I have found as much as I want to feel sorry for myself there are worse problems in the world and the daily inconvenience of cleaning the house is the least of them. I have to keep things in perspective. But when I am down. When I don’t think I can do the drill one more day, I remember the promise from Psalm 28:7:

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”