Jesus has a special gift for you.   He made the offer to His disciples as they were about to face one of their greatest challenges and the gift is available to you today.

These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.  (John 15:11)

We often use the concepts of joy and happiness synonymously; however, there is a fundamental difference.  Happiness is often based upon our circumstances whereas joy is based on our internal attitude.  Joy is not the absence of problems but it is the presence of God.

The words joy or rejoice occur over 300 times in the New American Standard Bible.   Since this is such an important concept it’s essential that we understand the importance of joy in our lives.  It’s my experience that too many people are living under their circumstances rather than experiencing God’s joy.

We see that joy comes from a intimate relationship with God,

. . . In Your presence is fullness of joy; . . . (Psalm 16:11)

Joy gives us strength to overcome the challenges of life,

. . . Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.  (Nehemiah 8:10)

God’s joy is available to you as you come to Him in prayer,

Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.  (John 16:24)

If you’re wondering about God’s will for your life, Jesus gives us the answer,

But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.  (John 17:13)

Don’t let your circumstances dictate your emotions.   Viktor  Frankl wrote in  Man’s Search for Meaning, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

Jesus gives you His joy to enable you to live above your circumstances.  My mentor, Stephen Olford, liked to remark, “Joy is the flag that flies at the mast when King Jesus is in residence.”  May the joy of the Lord be your strength!

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

Follow me on twitter:  rickhiggins5