Radiant YTH AdventSample

Life can feel like a rollercoaster sometimes. One minute everything is great! You’re climbing up the peak of the ride and feeling awesome. But then the next thing you know, you’re dealing with stress, disappointment, and things just aren’t turning out the way you planned. It’s normal to feel down from time to time, but we have something awesome to hold on to: the joy of the Lord isn’t dependent on what’s happening around us. It’s secure and present because God is always with us, no matter what.

Scripture says that the “joy of the Lord is your strength,” but what does that really mean? It means that even when we’re tired or feeling less than joyful, we can rely on God to keep us up. Imagine standing on a firm foundation - it feels strong and steady under your feet. You can jump and stomp on it all you want, but it never breaks or wavers. That is just like God’s joy! His joy is an incredible gift that never leaves and gives us the strength to keep going.

The best part about this? The gift of God’s joy isn’t something you have to create on your own. He gives it to us whenever we ask! So next time you’re feeling like you’re on your way down the rollercoaster of life, tell God what you’re going through and ask Him to fill you with His joy.

• Bottom Line: The joy of the Lord is your strength. Joy is not based on circumstances, but on God’s presence with you.
• Response: Ask God to fill you with His joy, even when life is challenging.