The Fruit of the Spirit by Rick RennerSample

Joy and Peace 

I’ll never forget many years ago when a so-called brother in the Lord tried to destroy our ministry in the former USSR. When I finally discovered the destructive schemes he was covertly planning, I was dumbfounded. I soon found myself on an airplane with several members of my team, flying to another city to deal with the consequences of his fraudulent plans. 

As we flew that day, my staff commented on how joyful I was in the midst of this potentially devastating situation. I must admit, even I was amazed at the joy that exuded from deep down inside me. Only the Holy Spirit could give such joy in a situation as difficult as that. 

One of the ways the Holy Spirit helps us in these situations is to give us supernatural joy. The Greek word for “joy” is chara, derived from the word charis, the Greek word for grace. This tells us that joy isn’t a human-based happiness that comes and goes. Rather, true joy is produced by the grace of God and manifests particularly in hard times. 

In difficult situations, the Holy Spirit also gives us supernatural peace. On the day I went to deal with the man who was trying to destroy our ministry, I was completely controlled, level-headed, and at rest. A supernatural peace had risen up from deep within my spirit, enabling me to be a rock in the middle of a terrible storm that was threatening to disrupt the outreach of our ministry.

The word “peace” comes from the Greek word eirene, the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew word “shalom.” It expresses the idea of wholeness, completeness, or tranquility in the soul that is unaffected by outward circumstances or pressures. The word “shalom” also indicates that this dominating peace ultimately gives rise to prosperity in one’s soul. Rather than allowing the difficulties and pressures of life to break him, a person who is possessed by eirene is whole, stable, and poised for blessing.

If you’ll allow the Holy Spirit to work in you, He will release a supernatural joy and a dominating peace from deep inside you too. These fruits of the Spirit have the power to keep you joyful, calm, and stable even though you may be facing circumstances that would normally push you over the edge. Why don’t you take a few minutes today to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to produce the supernatural fruits of joy and peace in you?