Rick Warren gave us this definition of joy: “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright and the determined choice to praise God in every situation”. Joy is a choice.

I don’t know if anyone has ever told you, what’s there to be joyful about after all I have been through or still going through? Even some time,some people can’t just fathom how you are still full of joy and positivity despite all the challenges all around you!

Name it financial problems, health concerns, stress, stressful jobs, illnesses, deaths of loved ones, economic strain, dangerous situations, daily annoyances and frustrations, people calling us sick or foolish for following the Bible, etc can all cause us to take our eyes from Jesus but the joy of the Lord remains our strength.

Instead of asking, “God,why is this happening to me?” ask, “God, what do you want me to learn from this?” Every situation in life will either make you bitter or better. You choose how you will respond to it.”

Let me tell you ehn the problems or cares of the world is a big distraction oo , and the devil rejoices when he sees that we have lost our joy and finds us in a state of despair, bitterness and depression because of our difficulties.

Really,how can someone who is low on Joy serve the Lord with all his heart, or even preach the gospel hence he or she will definitely be hindered in fulfilling God’s purpose.

Every problem has a purpose, and I believe such purpose is to help you grow up spiritually to be more like Jesus Christ( that’s the joy of spiritual maturity). We get better and stronger in faith by the day.

We stay focused on Him. We do not set our affections on things of this earth. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

As believers, what makes us stay joyful or not isn’t our based on our circumstances but our eternal hope. Let’s look at this, people of this world try to find solace when difficulties arose in things like drinking themselves to stupor (so they can get high; they have not tried joy in the holy ghost😁😁💃🏻), finding pleasure in sin as well as extramarital affairs etc. because they believe all hope ends in this earth.

‘But our eternal hope is the source of unshakable joy’. Jesus has done this for us. See what the bible says….
….”who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus endured the cross and its shame because he could look toward the joy of accomplishing our redemption and returning to the Father in heaven.

What does it mean to us. We have been saved.
Our greatest reason to be joyful is that God has saved us and want to spend eternity with us. We have that joy of God’s presence at all time! This is a joy of eternal and everlasting value. This is the kind of joy I desire that it is deeply rooted in my heart and no circumstance can cause it to waver”!! Help us!! Amazing. But you God does not want us to exerience this joy alone. The bible says “For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:3-4).

John was very happy that the people he had ministered to were continuing to walk in the truth. There is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. The saved one can experience the joy of eternity realising nothing in this world can give him true joy.
Our joy comes from holding on to God’s word but it does but stop there and, we need to minister to others about the joy of our salvation.

We ought to be filled with so much joy to see souls saved around us knowing fully well there is a better place you are looking forward to going and that you won’t be going alone. That’s what keeps going, encouraged and moving 💪💪.

Other reasons we need to stay joyful😊

1. Joy is good and improves our health

2. Joy activates the miraculous

3. Joy stabilizes your emotions

GETTING PRACTICAL

1. During your quiet time tomorrow, List out all the physical and Spiritual blessings you can remember, Aim at having a spirit of gratefulness to everything you have been given.

2. Set your affections and thoughts on the reality of heaven by searching, writing out , dailyconfessing and meditating on scriptures that boost your mood. Also put in those soul lifting souls that will help your mood. Continue to this until it becomes part of you.
Also ensure you text or call others to share your joy of salvation or post on your status encouraging verses to help others who might need it to boost up their joy as well. You might just be saving a soul.

4. Fellowship with other saints. Lastly, Please let’s get the devil confused, mad and deride from henceforth by always staying joyful.

May the holy spirit help us in Jesus name😊.