Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
I love the movie Inside Out. If you aren’t familiar with this Disney film, the emotions of joy, anger, sadness, fear, and disgust live inside the mind of a girl named Riley. Throughout the film, Riley must realize that anger, sadness, fear, and disgust are all emotions that are ok to feel. In fact, sometimes we need to acknowledge and experience those feelings in order to have the ability to feel joy in certain situations.
In the movie, the character “Joy” thinks that she has to be in control because the other feelings can be negative feelings. She doesn’t want Riley to experience anger, sadness, fear, and disgust. While none of us want to experience those emotions, we do from time to time. What many of us don’t realize though, is that joy is a deep rooted feeling that bubbles up from within you. You can experience joy on a more consistent level, even when you are feeling the emotions that can be considered negative. You don’t have to feel happy in order to experience joy. Happiness lives on the surface, but true joy lives in our hearts.
Do you know the feeling of pure joy? Sure, we’ve all experienced happiness, but joy is an inner gladness. Joy is a constant feeling that comes from our overall well-being. What things bring you happiness? A hobby, a passion, or being with your family may bring you happiness. Times that really bring me happiness are when I have both of my kids together and we are laughing around the dinner table. But are just circumstances.
True, consistent joy is a gift from God. But it first comes from trust in Him. Only God can give us true joy.
Just like love, joy is sometimes something we may need to choose, because if we don’t those other feelings can take over. It can be easy to let feelings like anger and fear take over and take root, if we aren’t careful.
I have a dish towel that I keep hanging in my Kitchen that says “Choose Joy.” I keep it there to remind me that I can make that choice and choose joy even when I don’t feel joyful. It’s not always easy, but it’s possible.
Psalm 16:11 says, “You (God) make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
With God we can experience the fullness of joy despite our circumstances. If you are experiencing circumstances that are keeping you from the fullness of joy that only God can give, you must call out to Him. He will give you peace. That peace will allow you to feel joy despite what you are facing.
Lord, thank you for giving me joy. Thank you that despite what I am feeling, I can have peace and joy that only comes from you. Help me to not let feelings of fear, anxiety, and anger take root in my life. I recognize that these are ok feelings to have, but help me choose joy even when I don’t feel like it. Amen
Journal prompt: Do I have the fullness of joy described in the scriptures? Am I allowing other feelings to take root? What doI need to do in order to choose joy?
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