If we look for the definition of joy, we find among many variables that it refers to the joy we feel when we obtain something that pleases us, when we remember something that we want. It is to fully enjoy a situation, a meal or an action that generates happiness. Joy in the Lord is a deep spiritual happiness, coming from the Holy Spirit, when worshiping the Lord regardless of external circumstances.
When we come to this world, we bring a clean and happy soul, a blank canvas ready to apply harmony in colors, that is, our spirit comes full of joy in the Lord. But throughout our experiences, that genuine happiness becomes of many tones and causes that in our desire to be happy again, we look for joy in many wrong sources, lulling us to any kind of sadness with a disguised happiness. But this will be temporary as it does not come from God, if from the beginning we do not surrender to Him and, failing that, we choose to have an identity based on what the world offers. Undoubtedly, fears, dissatisfactions and negative emotions will arise when a situation does not turn out as we hope, or when a person in whom we put our hope disappoints us.
“See what sort of love the Father has given to us: that we should be called God’s children—and indeed we are! For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know him.” (1 John 3:1 NET)
We must understand that God is love and in love he has made us to come to this world to adore him and make him a priority in our lives. However, we learn the wrong way to have emotions that are not based on that love. True love is not an emotion that changes according to the people to whom we have endorsed our happiness. Many of us have to learn the way back to the Lord and reprogram our spirit when we have been led by wrong impulses. We get used to living in the darkness of destructive emotions such as depression, anxiety and we make them part of us to the point that physically they bend us, dimming the brightness of our eyes and we are even afraid of feeling fullness because we know that it will not last.
“From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those temporarily residing abroad (in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia) who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ’s blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure!” (1 Peter 1:1-2 NET)
That is why we must give ourselves by faith and in that way everything we receive from Him comes with an enduring love.
When we allow the presence of the Holy Spirit to manifest itself in our lives, we feel joy in His presence. We must be clear that, when we surrender ourselves by faith to God asking for mercy, we must be patient in waiting for his grace, although anguish and impatience may invades us, we must live joyfully praising and adoring him because we are saved in Christ and we fully trust in the love of who gave himself out of love, so that we have a full eternal life with the Father.
“When the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines; when the olive trees do not produce and the fields yield no crops; when the sheep disappear from the pen and there are no cattle in the stalls— I will rejoice because of the Lord; I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!” (Habakkuk 3:17-18 NET)
“Shout out praises to the Lord, all the earth!Worship the Lord with joy. Enter his presence with joyful singing.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us and we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” (Psalm 100:1-3 NET)
Therefore, when we surrender, let us feel the comforting embrace of Jesus and we will be renewed souls, adoring him with joy. In that way we are also going to love each other, making our walk through this world a very pleasant step, in the way of Jesus, before the call to the Lord, meanwhile we adore him with joy today, to enjoy his promise afterwards.
“Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer.” (Romans 12:12 NET)
“Protect me, O God, for I have taken shelter in you. I say to the Lord, “You are the Lord,
my only source of well-being.” As for God’s chosen people who are in the land, and the leading officials I admired so much— their troubles multiply; they desire other gods. I will not pour out drink offerings of blood to their gods, nor will I make vows in the name of their gods. Lord, you give me stability and prosperity; you make my future secure. It is as if I have been given fertile fields or received a beautiful tract of land. I will praise the Lord who guides me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn. I constantly trust in the Lord; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. So my heart rejoices and I am happy; my life is safe. You will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful follower to see the Pit. You lead me in the path of life. I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight.” (Psalm 16:1-11 NET)
