"Choose Joy"

Choose Joy

Joy – Rejoice. A feeling of happiness

Joy is an essential component of the Christian life

Biblical joy comes from the Lord. It’s the gladness of the heart that comes from knowing, experiencing, and trusting Jesus.

Biblical joy is not based on our possessions or our circumstances like worldly joy.

Worldly joy comes from the tricks and deceit of the enemy and is temporary.

The joy of the Lord is everlasting. There’s a quote: Joy is that inward peace and sufficiency that is not affected by outward circumstances. So, in the difficult times we can still choose to be joyful because of our hope in Christ. Like Paul, he exemplified joy in his suffering: shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned, he still had joy 2 Corinthians 7 he said in all our troubles/affliction, I am overflowing with joy.

Biblical attributes of Joy:

Repentance brings joy: Luke 15 the angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents.

Joy is a gift from God: Galatians 5 tells us joy is a fruit of the Spirit.

Joy gives us strength: Nehemiah 8 tells us the joy of the Lord is our strength.

We can rejoice/have joy in our trials: James 1 Count it all joy, when you have trials of many kinds.

The word of God brings joy: James 15 These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. Hope gives us joy: Proverbs 10 The hope of the righteous brings joy. So, no matter what it looks like or what your circumstances are…

Choose Joy