Joy - Experience Joy This ChristmasSample

Let joy sink deep

Today, pause to consider the barriers that exist to joy in your life. 

The first question to consider might seem obvious: do you want to be joyful? 

Jesus once asked a crippled man, “Do you want to get well?” Maybe this seems strange, but Jesus seemed to be revealing that this man wanted more than just his physical healing—he needed an attitude adjustment. 

The second question to ask is: Do you truly believe that God is joy, and that the natural outworking of the Holy Spirit in your life is joy? 

If you answer yes to both, then why not address anything that steals or quenches joy in your life? 

Is it circumstances? Then wrestle out the difficulties with God, rather than letting them create distance. 

Is it disappointment? Then take these questions to Him. 

If it’s guilt, then allow the grace of God right into the place you’re punishing yourself. Accept His forgiveness and let it go. If you’ve accepted Christ, then you’ve experienced the joy of your salvation. This wasn’t a passing phase; you can recapture that today.

To reflect:

1. Do you remember the joy of being saved and loved by God? Why not take some time to reflect on all the Lord has done in you and for you, and let it be a source of joy? Sometimes even our past failures can become a source of joy when we see that God’s grace has covered and transformed them. 

2. Let’s face it, sometimes we don’t want to be joyful. But stubbornly refusing joy is resisting the Holy Spirit. If this is you, can you let down the walls today and allow God to fill you again with joy?