“So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!” Psalms 32:11 NLT
Have you ever met someone whose disposition remained joyful despite bad external occurrences or maybe you experienced a Christian gathering where everyone was jumping and shouting at intervals except you? You might have wondered if you were at the wrong gathering otherwise why the uncontrollable display of joy?
The answer is simple! For a believer, joy is not just a feeling or emotion, it is a part of your nature. Unlike the belief that Christianity is a sad, only sombre religion, joy is the disposition of the believer at all times and evidence of your born-again spirit. In the midst of plenty or ease, in trials or lack, you know that your joy is not dependent on your feelings or emotions but on the Spirit of God dwelling in you.
The kind of joy we have comes from revelation and not occurrences. Revelation knowledge stirs up joy in us. When you know who you are; God’s child with the Holy Spirit on your inside and a sure hope of eternal life, it helps you respond to situations differently. You know that it is not about what is happening around you, but the One who is inside of you. The fact that you have been saved and have eternal life is something to always rejoice about (Romans 5:1-2).
This joy is pervasive in situations both pleasant and otherwise. Paul writing to the Philippian church from a prison cell mirrors this when despite his chains encourages them to rejoice.
“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say Rejoice!”- Philippians 4:4 (KJV). We have the same instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:16. It is possible to always be joyful. Every time without exception, regardless of the circumstances around you, you can be joyful.
What a mindset to have! Your joy is not circumstantial, it is something you express both in good and bad times. God is your delight so your joy is complete. (Jeremiah 15:16)
You have probably heard the phrase, “In the presence of God, there is fullness of joy”, coined from Psalm 16:11.That is our testimony, with a plot twist. We carry the presence of God everywhere! God is in us now, and therefore we can be full of joy at all times.
Dear believer, being full of joy should be your lifestyle at all times. Practice and express it. Try jumping and leaping and praising God (Acts 3:8)
Rejoice!!!
Bible Reading Plan: Psalms 26, 40, 58