The Unique Gift of Joy

God provides his people with unique gifts that make life special. One of those gifts is joy. Only the work of the Holy Spirit can bring the wonder and endurance of joy to the human experience. Joy is the fruit of his Spirit given to you by virtue of your new birth in Christ.  The world around you knows a sense of joy because of the beauty and wonder of God’s creation. (Acts 14:17) However, the fullness of joy is found only in the wonder of Christ. Because true joy is the fruit of Spirit it touches every part of your life. Whether in happy times or sad, in times of plenty or want, the joy of the Holy Spirit is there. 

This means true joy is always with you! You can know joy in the depths of sorrow and in the highs of celebration. Take a moment and consider how special true joy is. This is the joy you want your children to learn and live. Take full advantage of the fruit of the joy of God’s Spirit. Consider how joy is designed to bring the light of Christ to your life:

Joy has to do with the reality of God.

Joy transcends the moment and extends into eternity.

Joy does not fade but endures.

In our deepest sadness, we are rescued by joy.

Joy alone makes sense of the pain of life.

Joy is the certain knowledge that what is unseen is more than what is seen.

Joy is the fuel of hope.

Joy means all of your circumstances are opportunities to honor your God.

Joy is the evidence that you are never truly lost.

Joy means you are not limited by a sin-cursed world.

Joy means that you can love when you are hurt.

Joy means that you can live for God when death surrounds you.

Joy is knowing that God has numbered your days.

Joy made the cross possible!

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Shepherd Press