Finding Joy

A missed opportunity.  Pastor was going to ask me to speak about Joy at our Thanksgiving brunch. Unfortunately, I never listened to or responded to the message he left.  So I will share a few words about Joy and what it means to me.

We all look and need joy in our lives daily.  I believe joy comes from God: communing with God, with family, friends, the church and community because when shared, joy is a treasure that multiplies’ upon itself.  Interactively living life gives purpose and a rewarding joy.  It can fill you up whether reading in His word, praying earnestly or working diligently.

Sometimes God will give me a song to help calm my nerves or to sing out joyfully in praises to Him.  It just happens.  Like the words in the song “Blessed Assurance” lyrics by Frances J Crosby best describe the feeling of joy when the peace of God is with you.  Go to the link, listen and feel the peace come over you.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!…

Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long;

The following quote from the Women of Faith’s, study guide series, “Contagious Joy” also speaks to me.

“Joy isn’t really a matter of receiving something new, but of discovering what has always been there.  For believers, sometimes discovering joy is simply a matter of opening our eyes to a new way of seeing.”

Could that mean, how we look at or interpret life can determine our joy?  In the past many churches believed Christians were expected to be solemn and meek.  But God directs us many places in the Old and New Testament to be joyful.  One example is (Psalm 68:3, ESV)

But the righteous shall be glad;
they shall exult before God;
they shall be jubilant with joy!

So let’s open our eyes to a new way of seeing and let joy in.

Precious Lord, I thank you for the joy you give and share with me.  Help me to discover abounding joy wherever I am.