The next "fruit" of the Holy Spirit listed in Galatians is JOY.
Joy is....according to the dictionary......a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.
Now, yesterday we read that we are commanded to have these fruits. Even though joy is a feeling, we still need to choose it.
What happens when we are led around in life by feelings? I know for myself they get me into trouble. One day I feel like studying a lot.....the next, not so much. One day I feel like doing a lot of cleaning at home, the next I do not. One day I feel like being alone, the next day I don't. One day someone says something I don't agree with and I feel bad, the next it's whatever.
However we may feel at the time, joy is to be evident in our life......regardless of circumstances or situations that come up in our life. It's been told to me that the difference between joy and happiness is that joy is not dependent on circumstances.....but happiness is. We can have joy in our life even though everything around us may be falling apart.
So....how can we have joy in the midst of hard times? Well....this has taken me a long time to figure out. Or I should say a long time for God to work out and he is still working it out in me. But I can honestly say I understand joy now better than I did even a year ago. It's no secret that my family has been through some hard times the past year and a half. My husband has a lot of health problems and jumping from doctor to doctor can be frustrating. All that we knew and how we used to live is basically a thing of the past. This life we have now is a "new normal" for us. I can't say it's been easy, but joy is still there. Joy is knowing our salvation is secure and that no matter what this life throws at us, it's not a surprise to our God and He already has is figured out. I imagine Him walking ahead of me to pave my way. I imagine him clearing my path so whatever I face, He is already there and protecting my journey. I imagine him staying beside me to walk with me. I imagine my place in heaven one day. These things all bring me joy. A joy I may not have found had this past year not been so rough. I believe the Bible teaches we can have blessings among the rough days. We can be blessed and look to each circumstance as a chance to give glory to our God.
Everyday on this earth is a gift. Our life may be different than we ever imagined, but it's ok. It's more than ok.....it's a plan made for us since before creation! Having it all isn't what it's all about. Eternal security is what joy is rooted in....and this only comes from our God!
Joy....
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading this my sister came to mind. We lost her over a year ago to breast cancer. She was saved for many years and had a strong faith. Karen and I used to go to their house a lot and as years went by we would go over but not as much. However the last year or so of her life I would talk with her fairly regularly.
One conversation that stands out was a day when she was not feeling so well. She had lost her eye sight because of radiation due to the cancer spreading to her brain. She was just not doing well, however she took the time to talk with me. During the conversation we talked about heaven and what it would be like for her. We talked about all the new colors she would see. The fact that she would be able to hold a lion and the piece, love and comfort she would feel in heaven. At one point she got excited and said, "do you think I will be able to touch God's face" I could tell she was sick, scared and frustrated, but I could also tell she had joy, because she was going to heaven.
I miss my sister, but I have joy in knowing where she is and how much joy she now has.
Your sister sounds like a wonderful person. And having that joy in knowing she is with our God is such a comfort to you. Remember the things she told and taught you. I do with my mother in law......those words will last a lifetime.
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