Written by: Sister Edna Ellison
Practicing Joy
Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the Joy of the Lord is my strength. Joy comes with our relationship and trust in God. Joy enables us to experience others as Jesus did. Psalm 16:11 says “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Having joy includes having good cheer and a vibrant happiness, a deep-rooted inspired happiness. A definition of happy is a feeling or showing pleasure or contentment. Joy is pleasure, delight, a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Unhappiness is not being satisfied or pleased with a situation.
Kevin Stange is an ex-coworker of mine, and periodically he walked around the office singing ” I’ve got that Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart to stay”. The lyrics go on to say, “I’ve got the love of Jesus, I’ve got the peace that passes understanding all of these things down in the depths of my heart.” You can have joy in unhappy situations. You can have joy when a marriage is being dissolved (Isaiah 41:10). You can have joy when teenagers are rebellious. We can keep our joy by knowing it is a battle that belongs to God. (Reference: Ephesians 5:6 CSB version) You can have joy when a loved one has serious health issues. (References: Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:17 and 1 Peter 2:24 CSB version). You can have joy when you have financial problems according to Psalm 121. You can have joy when suffering depression. (Reference: Psalm 27). God’s promises bring us joy! God’s truth with His extraordinary love brings joy! (Reference: 1 Peter 1: 7-9)
In addition, “Paul, a Pharisee who hated the Christians yet was touched by Jesus and transformed into one of the greatest champions for Christ, started many of the early churches and wrote many of the books of the New Testament. His circumstances throughout his ministry were some of the worse any man has ever had to endure, even prison. Yet it was from prison where he wrote the “Book of Joy,” Philippians.” (Reference: Lane Jordan Burday, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer)
Now that is an amazing example of joy. It is the deep awareness of whatever our circumstances may be, “God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” (Reference: Romans 8:28)
A person may ask you the question. What brings you joy? As you ponder the question the answers that immediately come to mind are the everyday examples of seeing our grandchildren happy and safe. Knowing that our children are doing well in their lives, enjoying fellowship and worship services with our brothers and sisters in Christ, also brings us joy. All those things are good, but also, a deeper joy is serving others. Jesus was a servant leader. Matthew 20:28 says, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” By serving others we show the love of Christ.
My sister Marsha reminded me of the following memory. When I was in my early 20’s there was a lady that lived below my grandmother’s house. We called her Aunt Annie, even though we were not related. Aunt Annie was blind, She dipped snuff and was overall a very happy and jovial person. Most blind people are able to live and do well in their own home as they are familiar with their surroundings and Aunt Annie did well. I didn’t know at the time that the Holy Spirit was leading me to visit her so that I could read the Bible to her. I purposed to do just that. My oldest child was three or four years old. I would go on evenings or Saturday mornings when I was free to do so. Aunt Annie loved my visits. She loved hugging my son, feeling my son’s head and playing in his hair, but mostly she loved hearing the Word of God. As I look back, that experience brought joy to my soul and from Aunt Annie’s reactions and verbal gratitude, I believe, it brought joy to her too! I treasure those moments as well as the memories until this day. This reminds me of another Bible story memory of Joy, Mary treasured the entire birth of Jesus so much that she pondered and meditated on it in her heart. (Reference: Luke 2: 15-20)
If we are alert, God will bring opportunities to us to share His joy with others. When in a grocery line or a drive through we may be able to pay for someone’s purchase. Looking into the faces of people can tell you if they are lonely. Speaking encouraging words to them can put a smile on their face and in their heart. You may know them, you may not, but you can go to them and share with them how God loves them and that they are always on His heart. You may volunteer at a homeless shelter to serve food, clothing, or needed items. Yielding to the Holy Spirit when instructed to do so will fill your heart and soul with overwhelming joy regardless of your own personal situation. Paul and Barnabas shared the Good News of Christ, and they were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. (Reference: Acts 13: 49, 52)
In this flesh there is no good thing (Romans 7:18). There are times that I start to feel down about something. There are times when everything seems to be going well. There are times that I don’t feel happy or sad. My Spirit is quiet, nothing seems to be going on. Those are the times that I will put my favorite praise and worship music on. That alone time praising God merges my spirit and the Holy Spirit. That Joy down in my heart and soul bubbles up. Sometimes it’s in the form of tears. Sometimes it’s just euphoric praise! I come in agreement with Psalm 118: 24, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Experiencing this slice of the fruit of the Spirit comes by accepting Jesus Christ as your Saviour. (Romans 10:9-10) The Holy Spirit then comes to reside in you (John 14:26, 16:13). Spending time with God in His word, studying God’s word. (2nd Timothy 2:15) Believing God’s word by faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9). You don’t have to do anything for salvation but accept it, which is a free gift from God. Jesus came as a servant leader and in being like Jesus we can serve our fellow man. God loves us, and all of these things will bring us joy because they bring God joy. (1st John 4:19) John 15:1-11 tells us that “Jesus is the vine, we are the branches.” Verse 11 says, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”
We have been called to be connected with the vine in order to not just produce fruit but to bear it. For bearing fruit is a natural outcome of being in Christ and letting Him live His life through us. We love Jesus because He first loved us. Now That’s Joy!
Article Written by Sister Edna Ellison
Grandmothers of Hope Society Ministry