Joy

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. (Psalm 126:3)

Joy. Such an innocuous 3-letter word, yet…we can be filled with it, lacking in it, robbed of it. I daresay almost every book in the Bible will have references to it—yes, even Job mentions joy on at least nine occasions. But what does it mean? If we have it, what are we supposed to do with it? If we don’t have it, how do we get it? If we had it, but allowed it to be taken, how do we get it back?

For those of you with joy to spare, praise God! My question is, however, what are you doing with it? Do you find ways to bring joy to others less fortunate in circumstance? Do you share with the world the source of your joy so they may have it for themselves (Mat 5:15-16)? Do you take it for granted? Hide it "under a bushel?" Remember, with God's help, there is no greater joy than bringing light to someone else's darkness.

Next--and pay attention Christians—genuine, lasting joy comes from God (Ps 19:8; Ps 30:11)! It does not come from your spouse, child, best friend, family, career—fill in the blank. Don’t get me wrong, He certainly provides those things for our pleasure and well-being, but they are fleeting at best (Ps 144:4). But this is the great news! God is always with us; therefore joy is always available to us. If you are lacking in joy today (John 16:24), ask yourself where you’ve been looking for it.

Finally, the joy-robbers…whether you are one or you know one, pay attention. If you watch SNL you are familiar with “Debbie Downer;” if not, you probably know someone just like her. Debbie’s glass is not only half-empty, there’s a fly floating in the bottom of it. With a gleam in her eye, she can’t wait to point out your shortcomings (in Christian love of course), dismiss or criticize your feelings/dreams and give you the death toll and statistical breakdown of every new debilitating disease or natural disaster. Spend half an hour with her and she will drain the joy from a room quicker than a Dementor (see footnote) in a Harry Potter film. If you are one, shame on you! If you’ve allowed one to infiltrate your psyche—stop it! CHOOSE joy! No one can take away what God has given! He has given us a command (1Thes 5:16-21) and made us a promise (Ps 19:8)—he is ready to deliver—just ask him (Ps 28:7; Ps 51:12, Prov 29:6, Rom 12:12)! I could list scriptures all day, but you get the point. Look them up--pray them in! Specifically, say a prayer for the joy-robbers in your life, or repent for stealing joy from those you are called to love.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you. You alone are my strength, my shield, my hope and my heart. Sustain me. Give me the words to say and joy to spare so that I may lift up those around me. Restore me. When life happens, help me remember my inner joy comes from You, not the fleeting things of this world. Grant me patience when mere humans seek to extinguish Your light within me and remind me of the hope I have of life everlasting with you in your kingdom. In Christ’s name, amen.

*Dementor: Soul-sucking creature who feeds on positive emotions, happiness & good memories of humans. The very presence of a dementor makes the surrounding atmosphere grow cold and dark.