Fruit of the Spirit
Joy
Deep gladness in God that circumstances cannot steal.
What this is
Joy is gladness rooted in God: who He is, what He has done and what He has promised. It goes deeper than a good mood.
Christians grieve and struggle too. Joy can sit alongside tears, because it rests on God, not on how things are going. It isn't the buzz of the next purchase either.
The Spirit grows joy as you stay close to Jesus. Thank God, remember His goodness and spend time with Him and His people, especially when you don't feel like it.
In Jesus
When His followers returned from their mission, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and praised His Father for revealing Himself to ordinary people (Luke 10:21).
When it's missing
grumbling, joyless duty, chasing the next high
My verses
I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
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.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
Where to next
- Write three thanks dailyEach evening this week, write three specific things you're thankful for.
- Sing to GodPut on a worship song and sing along, in the car or at home.
- Catch one complaintWhen you catch yourself grumbling, turn it into a prayer or a thank you.
- Celebrate with someoneWhen something good happens to a friend, celebrate it properly.
Tested most in
Pray
Lord, You are my joy. When life is good and when it is hard, fill me with gladness in You. Teach me to give thanks in everything.