Where’s My Joy
It is that joy that sustains us and helps us through the troubled times that will inevitably come our way. When we allow problems and worry and anxiety to control us – it is impossible to find peace within our soul. Where do we find our lost joy? How do we get it back? Our joy comes from the Lord – we will not find TRUE joy in the world. We will not reclaim that joy, until we cry out to the Lord for restoration; not until we submerge ourselves in Him and in His Word. Psalm 51:10 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” God’s word promises to restore that joy to our heart when we put our trust in Him. We must be in His presence to receive His blessings. Psalm 16:11 “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
God’s word tells us we will not be free of problems in this life. The storms will come but we do not have to face them alone. We do not have to go through them in despair. If we draw close to Him and remain in His presence and seek His direction – it is possible to have joy even in times of trouble. Jesus tells us in John 15 that if we remain in Him, trust in Him, abide in Him …THEN His joy will remain in us and our joy will be complete. He will give us exactly what we need to go through our problems and to come out the other side stronger in our relationship with Him. Nehemiah 8:10 tells us the joy of the Lord is our strength. When our hearts are heavily burdened we can find rest in Him and reclaim the precious gift of joy that has been missing in our lives. No matter what circumstance you may find yourself in, the joy of the Lord must be your strength. Paul learned this truth even in the midst of his adversities. Phil 4:12-13 “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Kim Arrogancia
Stauros Worker
Florida