JOY!

Merriam Webster dictionary defines “JOY” as the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune by well-being, of possessing what one desires.

What does the Bible say about joy? “JOY” is a fruit of the Spirit. As the result of being one of the fruits of the Spirit, it is having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

You can fake at a lot of things, like faking to be a Christian, but you CANNOT fake joy or having joy. You either have it or you don’t. Galatians 5:22-23 states, “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…”

The Spirit produces character traits, not specific actions. We cannot go out and do the Fruit of the Spirit, and we can’t obtain them by trying to get them. It we want the fruit of the Spirit to develop in our lives, we must recognize that all of theses characteristics are found in Christ. The way to grow them is to join our lives to His life. We must know him, love him, remember him, and imitate him. The result will be that we will fulfill the intended purpose of loving God.

There is a difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is a pleasure whereas Joy is a sacrifice. Happiness is bliss and Joy is selfless. Happiness is external and Joy is internal. Happiness is an earthly accomplishment and Joy is a spiritual connection with God.

Many people get the two confused. They don’t understand the difference between happiness and joy. It is simple, happiness is external and is fleeting. You can be happy one moment and sad the next. Happiness is a feeling brought about through this world. It is a simple pleasure. Whereas, Joy is a spiritual connection with God through Jesus. We can only attain Joy through Christ. Joy is given to us by the Father through the Holy Spirit. Joy is spiritual and it is something that connects us with God, because it is given to us by the Spirit. The Joy in our hearts doesn’t think about the pleasures that make us happy, but what is right and moral in the eyes of God.

Simplified: Joy, is a spiritual quality, that lasts forever. We will always have it. Having joy includes feeling good cheer and having a vibrant happiness. But the spiritual meaning of expressing God’s goodness involves more. It is a deep-rooted, inspired happiness. For God’s children, the power of joy is never-ending. Although not one fruit of the spirit is more important than another, joy enables us to experience the other fruits in the way that Jesus did.

Happiness is an emotion in which we experience feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense pleasure. Happiness is the consequence of a personal effort.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:13.

Joy is a deep rooted sense that all things are well, because our God is in charge of all things. We express joy through praise, in songs, and when we laugh. Joy is the peaceful counteneance. Joy is the substance of our soul. Joy holds us together in adversity, as we trust God. Jesus wants us to overflow in joy.