August 1 Thought for the day....real joy, more than a feeling

As I think back over my life, during all the trials, struggles and life threatening situations God sustained me with his joy and peace. Joy is so much more than happiness. Let's take a look at joy today!

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy..."Galatians 5:22

When most people think of joy they think of pleasure, merriment, exuberance, all of these things are fine but a moment of bad news or someone says a harsh word or a disapproving look can instantly rob us of our happiness. Happiness is based on circumstances or fleeting emotions where joy is based on God's Spirit, and it normally thrives in difficult circumstances.

The Greek word translated "joy" has at it root the word translated "grace." We are always to remember that any portion of the fruit of the Spirit is by and through grace. In other words, joy is not the result of human choice, but instead, it is directly divine in origin. Happiness is completely determined by our choices, but joy is a direct result of our being filled with the Spirit.

Allow me to give you an example of the way joy works. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 "So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord."

The word "suffering" means to be crushed by a heavy weight. Paul is saying that joy was shown through them in the middle of their crushing experience. The Holy Spirit's joy seems to flourish best in difficult times. Perhaps it does because, during the most strenuous times, we get out of the way and allow God to shine because we can't, then He does.

The best the world has to offer us is a happiness which is temporary and fleeting. Joy is birthed by the Spirit of God and is able to be alive in every person filled with the Spirit. It is a choice, but it also thrives in difficult places when we choose to trust Him. When the enemy or life circumstances rise up to overwhelm us, we can fight to put those things in God's hands. When we do a supernatural move of God rises up inside of us to overwhelm the darkness and bring us through to the light of who He is!

If you are going through a tough time right now or when you go through a tough time next, ask the Lord to release His joy in you. You will not only experience His great joy but also a peace which we will talk about tomorrow!