Be joyful always

Bottom line: Do not let anyone steal joy from your life. 

Teaching

Joy is an important unifying factor in different spheres of society. Everyone loves being in the presence of joyful people. Everyone prefers attending joyful events rather than sorrowful ones. This is because joy in itself creates an environment of freedom, happiness, and possibilities.  The Bible says.

A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

In other words, joy heals broken hearts and broken souls. i.e. it goes beyond scientific medication. There are many people today who commit suicide or who have suicidal thoughts because they feel unhappy and frustrated in life. This is the effect of the absence of joy in one’s life. They haven’t found real joy yet. Well, the Bible says real joy comes only when a person has an encounter with Jesus. Only Jesus can produce eternal joy in your spirit by His Spirit who will inhabit you.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Galatians 5:22

Real joy is a fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in our hearts when we receive him. He always makes us joyful if we let him. Even amid adversity, we have joy in our hearts, because we know the hope of our calling. We have joy because we know that at the very end, we shall be victorious, and we shall reign with Christ.

It is the desire of God that we should be joyful all the time.

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 

John 16:24

As a father wants his children to be happy always, God wants you to be happy all the time. He cares about your happiness. If it was all up to him, you should be happy every single second. 

However, it does not all depend on him. You have a role to play as well. You have to decide to be happy, regardless of the circumstances surrounding your life presently. Do not let it way you down and create sorrow in your Spirit. Instead, decide to be joyful. Look at the word of God and its promises. Believe in the words of scripture and keep your gaze on it. Declare the word daily in your life and spend quality time praying in the Spirit (Praying in tongues), then the presence of God’s Spirit shall produce increasing joy in you because, in his presence, there is fulness of joy.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
in thy presence is fulness of joy;
at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalms 16:11

Remember, your joy does not depend on anyone other than the Lord, and the Lord has done his part. So, decide to be joyful always: at work, in school, among your friends, while driving, with family, etc. Then you will discover a life sweeter than honey in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Further Study

• Romans 14:17 [For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.]

Reflection

• Do you live a life full of joy every day?
• Are the people around you happy to be in your presence, or do they avoid you because of your stern mood?
• What do you think you can do to create a more welcoming atmosphere around you?
• Have you ever given your heart to Jesus? If not, would you like to do so now?
• If yes, then repeat this prayer with all sincerity of heart.

Pray this prayer today and receive salvation.

Lord Jesus. I have sinned against you in every way. Forgive my sins today and wash me with your precious blood. On my own I can’t make it, so I invite you to be Lord over my heart and my life. I receive the gift of your holy spirit. Now I am transformed. I am a new man; I am born again. Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Prayer

Thank you, Father, for the gift of the Holy Spirit in my life, who produces unending joy in my Spirit. I declare that I walk in joy daily and I am full of light and life in the name of Jesus.