Is the Character of Joy in you? Here is how you can find out. Take a careful look at this character and fruit of joy from God's most precious Word by examining the passages below. Now ask yourself:
How do I exhibit joy in my daily life?What can I do to develop a more joyful attitude?What blocks joy from being expressed in me?How can I make joy function better, stronger and faster even in times of uncertainly and stress?
Galatians 5:22-23
Joy will allow us to enjoy my relationship with Christ, His creation, others, and our circumstances with an expression of delight and real, authentic happiness from and with harmony with God and others. (Psalm 32:7-9; Proverbs 15:13; John 15:11; 17:13; II Cor 12:9; I Peter 4:13- 19; Heb 10:34)
Sorrow, despair and regret are the opposites! Despair limits us like a ball and chain from growth and the enjoyment of life. It cuts us off from relationships, leaning, experiences and God. It leads to depression that cuts us off from seeing hope and purpose and what life and eternity are all about!
Here are positive examples from Scripture (Ex.14: 1-21; I Sam. 1:19; 2:10; Luke 10:17-21; 15:22-32; Acts 16:19-34)
Here is are negative examples from Scripture (Ruth 1:19-21; Job 3:1-19; John 11:17-44)
Further Questions
How would you define joy?
Are you a grouchy person when you get up?
How does self-pity counteract joy?
Look at Phil. 4:4, considering that Paul was in prison suffering greatly, how does your practice of love compare to Paul's excitement even in suffering?
Can you give an example from your life?
When have you been filled with joy the most?
In what situation did you fail to have joy in which you should have?
What issue is in your life that would improve with more joy?
Think through the steps you need to take to put joy into action in a specific instance. Such as a counteracting the attitude of self-pity, or not letting your circumstances get in the way of your joy? Have you allowed Christ to introduce joy to you? Check out Psalm 48 and John 15:11
JOY recognizes that Christ will lift us up in His time; it sees the hope to come and takes delight in the moment even in times of harshness. It must be declared and seen even when it is not visible (James 1:2-4). The joy we are to have is His. It must carry us though all of our experiences and situations. It must rule our character and response, it must set the tone of how we engage and respond to others, whether it is prosperity or adversity, whether we are in the oval office or living in the streets.
In the OT, joy was an expression of excitement that was experienced with personal triumph, or celebrating a good harvest or military victory. Often feasting, the offering of sacrifices or blessings and dancing were tied with joy (Deut 12:12; 1 Sam 18:6; Ps 31:7; 96: 11; Isa. 56:7; 60:15; 61:3 ff; Joel 1:16;). In the NT, Joy comes from the Holy Spirit. It is associated with receiving or the telling of God's redemptive love. It also is associated with the enjoyment of life such as eating, drinking, feasting and even suffering (Matt 5:11-12; Luke 12:19; Acts 7:41; Gal 5:22; 1 Peter 1:6).
Remember to place Joy in all aspects of you life and expectations. If you are having problems take a serious look at despair and where it will get you, because there can be no delight without joy! You can have no true confidence with out joy. What we suffer through, what we go through, what we give up is in no comparison to what we gain!!!! Christianity and suffering is the ultimate in delayed gratification!
