Lets start with what is joyful?
- Full of joy, as a person or one’s heart; glad; delighted.
- Showing or expressing joy, as looks, actions, or speech.
- Causing or bringing joy, as an event, a sight, or news; delightful.
The word joy is used in each one of those, so what is joy?
noun
- The emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation.
- A source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated.
- The expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.
- A state of happiness or felicity.
verb
- To feel joy; be glad; rejoice.
Now that we know what joy or joyful is, are you? If not, why? What is holding you back? Are you listening to others, the devil, yourself? What is sucking the joy out of your life?
Do you want to know how to become? It is simple, let God help. Sure that sounds simple. Joy like anything in life is a choice.
Psalm 16:11 New International Version (NIV)
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
Psalm 28:7 New International Version (NIV)
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 New International Version (NIV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
James 1:2-4 New International Version (NIV)
Trials and Temptations
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Chose to smile and laugh, choose to refocus your thoughts, choose to forgive, choose to get rid of all the past regrets, choose to omit the worries about your future, choose to be optimistic and count your blessings, and choose to trust in the Lord and do His will. According to Rick Warren, life with joy is overwhelming, overburdened, and oppressive and with more joy in our lives, we are more productive. Go read the book of Philippians and study the six ways to build joy.
I pray that if you have no joy in your life that God will open your heart to encourage you to read the Bible and to understand His word. It will be up to you to take His word and act upon it. What will you do?