the Joy
Psalm 126:3
3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Joy is often intertwined with our spiritual choices, reflecting the deeper values we embrace in our lives. When we make decisions aligned with our beliefs and principles, we cultivate a sense of fulfillment that transcends temporary happiness. Engaging in practices such as prayer, meditation, and acts of service not only strengthens our connection to our faith but also fosters a profound sense of joy. However, we often confuse joy with happiness, mistakenly believing they are the same experience and they are not. We know Biblically that the body, soul, and spirit are integral components of the human experience, each serving a distinct purpose yet interconnected in profound ways. Our bodies are a physical manifestation which provides the means to engage with the external world and experience life through sensory perceptions. Our soul encompasses our emotions, thoughts, personality and our will, reflecting our individuality and moral compass. Meanwhile, the spirit represents our higher self, often associated with our beliefs, purpose, and connection to the divine. So to put it simply, our bodies are what we live in, our soul is who we are and our spirit is created in God’s image and is eternal.
And here is the most important part, within every aspect of our being there is an expression of contentment or fulfillment. For our bodies it’s pleasure and contrary to some opinions, pleasure is not necessarily a bad thing. We are created with the ability to experience pleasure and conversely , if we spend our entire lives devoted to pleasure, this could be considered hedonistic. However, what is joy? We often confuse joy with happiness, mistakenly believing they are the same experience and they are not. Happiness is typically seen as a fleeting feeling, often tied to external circumstances or achievements. It can be influenced by daily events, such as receiving good news or enjoying a fun outing. In contrast, joy is a deeper, more profound sense of contentment and fulfillment that stems from within, regardless of external situations, which is more related to our spirit. In other words, joy is about our spirit and consequently, our spiritual choices have an impact and influence on the joy in our life. So in other words, joy is a necessary component to our spiritual well being.
So how do we receive joy? The development of joy can be found in Acts 13:52 “And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Clearly we receive joy through the Holy Spirit, but why do we need to be continually filled or replenished? In as much as we need food and nourishment or affection and connection with others, we need to be continually filled. And through this, by the evidence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we receive joy. Continually being filled with the Holy Spirit is essential for maintaining spiritual vitality and resilience in our daily lives. Consequently, the joy we receive serves as a source of strength, enabling us to navigate life's challenges with a perspective rooted in hope and grace. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our faith authentically, guiding our actions and decisions. This ongoing filling not only enhances our personal relationship with Christ, but also equips us to be a light to others, fostering community and support among fellow believers. In a world often marked by uncertainty and hardship, the consistent replenishment of joy and the Holy Spirit helps us remain anchored in faith and purpose.
Prayerful Thought….
11 “ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11
And Remember…….
“ Never get so busy making a living, that you forget to make a life.” -Dr Lee