Have you ever laughed so long and hard that it made your whole being tingle with joy? It is almost as if your entire body was rejoicing and healing all at the same time. Well then, let’s keep talking about it!
One morning I was sitting on the porch with my cup of coffee, right before sunrise. I started reading my devotion when suddenly I heard ducks quacking, lots of ducks: high quacking, low quacking, all different octaves. I had to stop and just laugh out loud! I looked at my dog, Bella, sitting next to me, and said, “what do you think is so funny to those ducks, Bella?” I started laughing again as they continued to quack into the distance. So, hence the title of my blog—joy. Those ducks made me think of deep, heartfelt joy and laughter. I don’t really know if they are laughing, but I like to pretend they are; it makes me smile.
I used to wonder, “what is the difference between joy and happiness?” According to dictionary.com, joy is the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; a feeling or state of well-being or blessedness. Happiness is an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment. So, I will personally sum it up as joy is a gift from God. It is rooted deeply within our hearts, sitting right next to peace. They work together in harmony. Happiness is an emotion. Things and people can steal “happiness” from us. Circumstances can steal it; the enemy can steal it. It is not rooted in our hearts, only felt.
I love scriptures on joy. I challenge you to read scriptures on joy and try not to smile. It’s impossible.
Have you ever heard of unspeakable joy? What is it really? It is a joy that exists in the face of suffering. We all know life has ups and downs, so why not practice joy? If we can try to maintain a joyful heart during pain, trials, and suffering, we will always walk in peace with Jesus. It is not easy, but it is possible. With God, all things are possible!
So how do we walk in unspeakable joy? Let’s see what God has to say about it:
- “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
- “The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.” Proverbs 10:28.
- “Tho you have not seen Him, you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9
- “Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” Isaiah 12:6
- “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.” Psalms 27:6
- “And those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will over take them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” Isaiah 35:10
- “So with you: now is your time of grief, but i will see you again, and you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy.” John 16:22
- “For His anger last only for a moment, but His favor last a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalms 30:5
- “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
This is just a handful of scriptures written about joy. So I think it is pretty important to our lives since God wrote about it so often.
2 Corinthians 4:7-10 describes God’s followers as broken clay jars who have God’s radiant, joy-filled light shining through them. This scripture shows that even through trials, God’s light can still shine through our lives. This is truly, only possible with God, not on our strength.
We have the opportunity to choose joy. One of the most amazing things about the word of God is that it is alive and active. So when we speak things over ourselves and others, His word does things in the spiritual realm. That’s why our words are so very important. We need to pray for the words of life to flow from our hearts and mouths. Even something as simple as, “I choose joy!”
Try it and see how God will bring joy into your circumstances. God is good, He is faithful, and He is always right beside us, only a spoken word away. Pretty comforting, don’t you think?
I also want to say how important it is to remain in God’s presence because in His presence is fullness of joy. Because where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom! There is also joy and peace. If you carry joy in your heart, that joy can help you walk through sadness. If you walk in joy, God’s presence is upon you. Also, others will wonder why you are so happy and joyful. It is a testimony in itself. Then the door is opened to tell them that Jesus is your joy, your hope, your freedom, and your salvation.
Let’s pray:
Loving Father, we thank you for your unspeakable, never-ending joy! It truly is a gift from you. We pray that joy radiates in our lives daily. May your light shine brightly through us to show others the way to you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Beth Nahkala
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#bethnahkalablogs